PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Sanches (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lelik Eremia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Sanches
vs
Eremia

189 cm
23
234 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
21
250 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Sanches!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lelik Eremia!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eremia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sanches counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Lelik Eremia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanches keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A punch combination from Eremia misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanches throws a series of punches but Eremia avoids them all with ease.
Eremia shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Antonio Sanches has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lelik Eremia.
Eremia throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sanches counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eremia shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sanches counters with a three punch combo that has Eremia backing up. Eremia nods at Sanches to acknowledge the strikes.
Eremia tries for a takedown but Sanches circles away easily
and Sanches counters with a three punch combo that has Eremia backing up. Eremia nods at Sanches to acknowledge the strikes.
Sanches lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Eremia circles away quickly and effectively.
Eremia with a poor takedown
and Sanches counters with a one-two to the body.

Eremia scores a takedown into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eremia can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sanches is looking to escape.
Eremia unloads with some shots from mount but Sanches bucks and avoids them well.
Sanches wants to control but Eremia is having none of it.
Eremia should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Eremia controlling the pace for now.
The referee warns Sanches that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanches is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanches is squirming around, avoiding Eremia's attempts to control the action.
Eremia with a couple of short strikes.
Eremia prevents Sanches from getting the reversal.

Eremia with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Eremia jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Sanches manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Eremia looks gassed!
Sanches sneaks back into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanches tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Nice strikes from Eremia there.
Sanches is not content to let Eremia control the position.
Sanches trying to control from the bottom.
Sanches is trying to stand.
Eremia prevents Sanches from improving his position.
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 Antonio Sanches will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Eremia misses with a double jab
and Sanches counters with a series of strikes. Eremia will be more careful next time no doubt.
Eremia fails with the takedown.
Eremia fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eremia closes the distance but Sanches moves to the side
and Sanches counters with a left and a right that stings Eremia.
Antonio Sanches is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eremia with a poor takedown
and Sanches counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Antonio Sanches has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lelik Eremia.
Eremia fails with the takedown
and Sanches counters with a left and a right that stings Eremia.
Eremia is breathing heavily.
Eremia tries for a takedown but Sanches circles away easily
and Sanches counters with a three punch combo that has Eremia backing up. Eremia nods at Sanches to acknowledge the strikes.
Sanches fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanches lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Lelik Eremia has been cut.
Sanches tries to bum rush Eremia with a series of wild strikes but Eremia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Eremia throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sanches counters with a three punch combo that has Eremia backing up. Eremia nods at Sanches to acknowledge the strikes.
Eremia avoids a punch combination nicely.
Eremia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanches swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Eremia counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sanches's guard now.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Eremia trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanches is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanches looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanches, not yet.
Eremia trying to control but Sanches is working from the bottom.
Sanches looking to hit a scissor sweep but Eremia is one step ahead there.

Eremia stands and steps away. Sanches gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eremia throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sanches counters with a left and a right that stings Eremia.
Eremia tried to score with a low kick but Sanches checks it.
Eremia rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sanches counters with a two punch combo.
Eremia with a poor takedown
and Sanches counters with a three punch combo that has Eremia backing up. Eremia nods at Sanches to acknowledge the strikes.
Eremia throws a combination that misses
and Sanches counters with a left and a right that stings Eremia.
Eremia wants to clinch
and Sanches counters with a one-two to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Eremia throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sanches counters with a one-two to the body.
Eremia tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanches swivels and escapes.
Sanches misses with a double jab
and Eremia counters with a stiff right hand.
Sanches misses with the combination.
Eremia with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sanches counters with a series of strikes. Eremia will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sanches misses with a few strikes there.
Eremia takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eremia has his takedown stuffed
and Sanches counters with a three punch combo that has Eremia backing up. Eremia nods at Sanches to acknowledge the strikes.

That has opened up Lelik Eremia's cut even more.
Antonio Sanches has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lelik Eremia.
Sanches throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Eremia decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sanches's guard.
Sanches wants to sweep but no luck.

Sanches has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Eremia can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Eremia thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eremia stopping the sweep attempt from Sanches.

Eremia drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Eremia jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Eremia trying to control but Sanches is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sanches holds on and takes a little breather.
Eremia trying to control but Sanches is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanches lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Eremia!
Eremia throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Sanches can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Eremia is looking to escape.
Sanches putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Eremia tries to hold on but Sanches postures up.
Sanches can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Eremia is looking to escape.

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.
Eremia wants to control but Sanches is having none of it.
Lelik Eremia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanches connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Eremia tries to hold on but Sanches postures up.
Sanches breaks from Eremia's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Eremia keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Antonio Sanches is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Sanches swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Eremia is now in Sanches's guard. A big mistake from Sanches there, giving up the dominant position!

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Sanches showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanches, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Sanches!