PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manny Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Sarmiento (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Manny Pacquiao has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Manny Pacquiao seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Pacquiao
vs
Sarmiento

169 cm
24
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Manny Pacquiao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joseph Sarmiento!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Fedor Mirinova and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pacquiao clinches.
Sarmiento drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pacquiao gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sarmiento tries to score a body lock takedown but Pacquiao shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sarmiento goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pacquiao prevents it.
Manny Pacquiao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Sarmiento.
Sarmiento wants a takedown but no success here.
Sarmiento goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pacquiao prevents it.
Sarmiento drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pacquiao pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sarmiento throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pacquiao's waist but Pacquiao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sarmiento off to one side.

Pacquiao shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sarmiento's guard.
Pacquiao throwing strikes from guard but Sarmiento blocks nicely.
Sarmiento utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pacquiao sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sarmiento wants to stand and escape but Pacquiao is having none of it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Pacquiao landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pacquiao thows a big elbow that misses.
Pacquiao throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pacquiao trying to control but Sarmiento is working from the bottom.
Sarmiento wants to stand up but Pacquiao is controlling him.
Sarmiento is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Pacquiao postures up in Sarmiento's guard and throws a big left but Sarmiento blocks it.
Sarmiento is looking to stand up but Pacquiao isn't so interested in that idea.
Sarmiento looks gassed!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pacquiao misses with a kick to the body.
Pacquiao lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Sarmiento is rocked!

It looks like Joseph Sarmiento has been cut.

Pacquiao gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pacquiao prevents the takedown attempt.
Pacquiao has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pacquiao wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sarmiento changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pacquiao fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pacquiao lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sarmiento is still on wobbly legs! Can Pacquiao finish him?

Pacquiao closes the distance and clinches.
Sarmiento seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pacquiao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pacquiao misses with a head kick.

Sarmiento gets caught flat footed, as Pacquiao shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
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!
Pacquiao tries to stand but Sarmiento is controlling from the bottom.
Pacquiao stops Sarmiento from standing up.
Pacquiao looking to pass the guard.
Pacquiao wants to control from the top but Sarmiento keeps moving.
Pacquiao throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sarmiento is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pacquiao has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pacquiao is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sarmiento is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sarmiento walks forward, straight into a front kick from Pacquiao.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sarmiento tries to keep at a distance but Pacquiao has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pacquiao is leaning against Sarmiento and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Pacquiao is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pacquiao is trying to break free.
Sarmiento tries to score a body lock takedown but Pacquiao shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Pacquiao works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Pacquiao can't break the clinch.
Pacquiao has Sarmiento pushed against the cage.
Sarmiento goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pacquiao prevents it.
Pacquiao is trying to force a seperation but Sarmiento has the dominant position.
Pacquiao is trying to break the clinch but Sarmiento has him pressed against the cage.
Sarmiento tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sarmiento has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pacquiao avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pacquiao lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sarmiento.

Pacquiao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Pacquiao scores a takedown into full mount!
Sarmiento wants to try and get back to his feet.
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.
Pacquiao with good strikes from the mount here!
Sarmiento wants to get back to his feet.
Pacquiao working the ground and pound effectively.
Pacquiao sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sarmiento's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
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.

Manny Pacquiao dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joseph Sarmiento's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pacquiao moves into the clinch.
Sarmiento prevents Pacquiao from breaking the clinch.
Pacquiao lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pacquiao gets underhooks to prevent Sarmiento's takedown attempt.
Sarmiento is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pacquiao pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Pacquiao wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sarmiento is trying to drag Pacquiao to the mat but Pacquiao just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Manny Pacquiao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Sarmiento.
Pacquiao wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sarmiento keeps control of Pacquiao as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Pacquiao gets control of Sarmiento's arms and successfully pulls guard. Pacquiao will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sarmiento wants to stand but Pacquiao is controlling his posture from full guard.
Pacquiao knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sarmiento on the ground.
Pacquiao seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sarmiento wants to get up but he can't break Pacquiao's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pacquiao tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Pacquiao moves into range and clinches up with Sarmiento.
Pacquiao is pressed up against the cage. Sarmiento has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pacquiao down to the mat. Pacquiao avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

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.
Pacquiao connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Pacquiao clinches with his opponent.
A right hand to the body from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao working hard to break the clinch.
Sarmiento has Pacquiao pressed against the cage, preventing Pacquiao from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sarmiento has Pacquiao pressed against the cage, preventing Pacquiao from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sarmiento tries for a takedown but Pacquiao manages to get underhooks.
Pacquiao wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sarmiento wants a takedown.
Sarmiento has Pacquiao pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pacquiao manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Pacquiao's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Pacquiao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sarmiento doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Pacquiao counters by moving into the clinch.
Sarmiento wants a takedown but no success here.
Sarmiento has Pacquiao pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pacquiao manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pacquiao missing with knees to the body.
Sarmiento drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pacquiao gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Pacquiao pulls guard successfully.
Sarmiento trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pacquiao's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao working a defensive guard here.

Sarmiento stands up and waves to Pacquiao to follow him.
Sarmiento misses with a takedown
and Pacquiao cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sarmiento shoots and misses
and Pacquiao counters with a straight right hand.
Sarmiento shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pacquiao makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sarmiento shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pacquiao counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sarmiento!
Pacquiao won't let Sarmiento get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Pacquiao tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The referee warns Sarmiento that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Sarmiento is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Pacquiao looking to control but Sarmiento is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sarmiento squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Pacquiao dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joseph Sarmiento's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A jab from Pacquiao does it's job there.

Pacquiao clinches up against the cage.
Sarmiento drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pacquiao gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sarmiento drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pacquiao pulls his leg out and moves away.
Pacquiao throws a good cross that connects.

Pacquiao closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sarmiento did well to prevent Pacquiao getting side control.
Sarmiento avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao trying to pass the guard but Sarmiento defending well.
Pacquiao missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pacquiao is looking to take a break and control but Sarmiento is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Sarmiento kicks Pacquiao off and gets back to his feet.
Sarmiento with a poor takedown
and Pacquiao counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Manny Pacquiao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Sarmiento.
Sarmiento has his takedown stuffed
and Pacquiao counters with a stiff right hand.
Manny Pacquiao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pacquiao gets the takedown into side control.
Pacquiao prevents Sarmiento from escaping the position.
Pacquiao working the ground and pound.
Sarmiento pushes Pacquiao away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Pacquiao gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sarmiento misses with a takedown attempt

and Pacquiao counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sarmiento won't be happy with that.
Sarmiento is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Pacquiao is controlling him well.
Pacquiao looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Sarmiento is avoiding damage well.
Pacquiao prevents Sarmiento from escaping the position.
Pacquiao tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao wants to control but Sarmiento is keeping him busy.

Sarmiento throws Pacquiao to one side and escapes!
Sarmiento shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pacquiao counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sarmiento throws Pacquiao to one side and escapes!
Sarmiento shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pacquiao counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pacquiao.
Pacquiao seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Pacquiao has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sarmiento is proving hard to escape from.

Pacquiao is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pacquiao won't allow Sarmiento to get back to his feet.
Pacquiao is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sarmiento can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sarmiento is proving hard to escape from.
Manny Pacquiao overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sarmiento keeping full guard, as Pacquiao tries to pass.
Pacquiao tries to stand but Sarmiento is controlling from the bottom.
Pacquiao missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sarmiento circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sarmiento with a poor takedown
and Sarmiento takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pacquiao slaps away a takedown attempt from Sarmiento, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sarmiento fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pacquiao avoids it really well and circles away.
Sarmiento fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Pacquiao tries a head kick but it misses.

Sarmiento feints and as Pacquiao raises his hands in defense, Sarmiento changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Sarmiento decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sarmiento closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pacquiao circles away.
Pacquiao lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Pacquiao throws a right hand that Sarmiento ducks under and follows up with a left that Sarmiento also avoids with ease.
Sarmiento shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pacquiao pinned against the cage. Pacquiao gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Pacquiao shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sarmiento keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Joseph Sarmiento has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Manny Pacquiao is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pacquiao prevents Sarmiento from standing back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Pacquiao showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Pacquiao has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:26
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:26
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Pacquiao!