PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dante Ascanio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Altemio Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ascanio kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Otis Taylor / Ten Million Slaves. The crowd seem to be enjoying Sanchez's choice of entrance music: I Wanna Fuck You In The Ass. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ascanio
vs
Sanchez

185 cm
20
181 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

150 cm
20
175 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Meet the Future

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dante Ascanio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Altemio Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ascanio counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sanchez misses with an uppercut. Ascanio saw that one coming.
Ascanio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ascanio misses with a wild body shot.
Ascanio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ascanio misses with a wild body shot.
Ascanio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ascanio is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Sanchez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ascanio napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ascanio is not content to let Sanchez control the position.
Sanchez working the ground and pound but Ascanio is defending the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Ascanio dodges the ground and pound from Sanchez.
Sanchez wants to control but Ascanio is keeping him busy.
Sanchez misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ascanio is looking to reverse the position.
Ascanio is working hard here to advance position.
Sanchez wants to control but Ascanio is keeping him busy.

Sanchez is trying to get an arm triangle but Ascanio is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Ascanio's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ascanio is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Putka, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ascanio is looking for a sweep.
Ascanio taking a bit of punishment here - Sanchez scoring with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanchez in side control, throwing shots but Ascanio defends.
Sanchez in side control, throwing shots but Ascanio defends.
Sanchez working the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ascanio parries the strikes from Sanchez easily there. Sanchez is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ascanio to escape.
Sanchez is trying to ground and pound but Ascanio uses the momentary lack of control by Sanchez to regain half guard.
Sanchez thows a huge punch but Ascanio dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sanchez wants to take a breather but Ascanio is having none of it.
Sanchez is looking to advance position but Ascanio won't allow it.
Sanchez throwing shots but Ascanio is blocking nicely.
Sanchez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ascanio trying to control from the bottom.
Ascanio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sanchez.
Sanchez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanchez wants to take a breather but Ascanio is having none of it.
Sanchez working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sanchez connects with a nice short shot to Ascanio's temple.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sanchez lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ascanio trying to control here.
Sanchez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sanchez content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Sanchez prevents Ascanio from improving his position.
Ascanio trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez is just content to waste time from the top position. Ascanio takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Sanchez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ascanio works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Altemio Sanchez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sanchez shoots in but Ascanio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sanchez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ascanio sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sanchez slips under a jab.
Ascanio misses with a hook.
Sanchez looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ascanio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Ascanio misses with a straight right.
Ascanio defending well as Sanchez loads up on a big left hand.
Nice body punch from Ascanio.
Sanchez gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sanchez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ascanio counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dante Ascanio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Altemio Sanchez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ascanio but Ascanio pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sanchez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Sanchez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ascanio is trying to defend but Sanchez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ascanio is looking to improve his position.
Ascanio keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ascanio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sanchez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez controlling the pace.

Ascanio manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Ascanio's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sanchez under the eye.
A big left from Ascanio misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez shoots in for a double leg but Ascanio sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ascanio scores with a hook.
Sanchez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sanchez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ascanio.
Ascanio misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez moves out of range as Ascanio strikes.
Sanchez swings widly with a right hand
letting Ascanio counter with a right hand.
Nice takedown defense from Ascanio. No joy for Sanchez on that attempt.
Ascanio throws a hook but Sanchez avoids it easily.
Sanchez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but Ascanio shows good takedown defense.
Sanchez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ascanio.

Sanchez shoots in and gets a takedown into Ascanio's guard.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Ascanio keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Ascanio keeps moving.
Sanchez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Altemio Sanchez.
Decent striking displayed by Ascanio there.
Dante Ascanio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ascanio misses with a low kick as Sanchez jumps back.
Sanchez fails to land the takedown.
Ascanio looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
Sanchez is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ascanio throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Ascanio swings for the body but Sanchez moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Ascanio dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ascanio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ascanio connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ascanio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sanchez was well out of range. Poor timing from Ascanio.
Sanchez misses with a looping right.
Sanchez takes one to the side of the head.
Ascanio slips a straight right by Sanchez.
Ascanio waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sanchez.

Sanchez manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ascanio on his heels. He'll look to pass Ascanio's guard now, I'm sure.
Sanchez throws a strike but Ascanio rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ascanio trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ascanio wants to stand but Sanchez is controlling his posture from full guard.

Sanchez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ascanio doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ascanio manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Sanchez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ascanio defends well.
Altemio Sanchez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ascanio tries to stand but Sanchez is controlling from the bottom.

Sanchez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ascanio defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez has a closed guard, preventing Ascanio from standing up.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.
Ascanio slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sanchez is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez struggling a bit here.

Ascanio decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ascanio keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sanchez.
Sanchez slips under a jab from Ascanio.
Ascanio is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a takedown. Ascanio tries to sprawl out of it but Sanchez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ascanio manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A big left from Sanchez misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ascanio attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ascanio stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanchez. Sanchez gets slowly back to his feet.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ascanio but Ascanio pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dante Ascanio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Altemio Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ascanio's waist but Ascanio gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sanchez off to one side.
Ascanio lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ascanio throws a good cross that connects.
Ascanio cracks Sanchez with an open hand slap.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ascanio moves out of range as Sanchez strikes.

Sanchez darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Dante Ascanio did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ascanio throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ascanio uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sanchez.
Sanchez might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sanchez throws a looping overhand right but Ascanio ducks down to avoid it.

Sanchez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ascanio manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sanchez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanchez postures up.
Sanchez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ascanio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Ascanio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanchez with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez throws a big elbow that misses.
Ascanio keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.
Ascanio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanchez.
Ascanio pulls Sanchez in close to prevent any damage.
Sanchez stays in close to Ascanio's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Altemio Sanchez was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ascanio throws the left hand but Sanchez avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ascanio throws out a loose jab but Sanchez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ascanio. Sanchez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ascanio swings for the body but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez shoots in but no luck this time.
Sanchez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ascanio.
Ascanio lands a jab to the nose.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ascanio as he avoids it easily.
Sanchez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ascanio sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sanchez somewhat.
Dante Ascanio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Altemio Sanchez.
Sanchez misses with a right hand
and Ascanio counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt - Ascanio sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Altemio Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ascanio connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ascanio is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ascanio throws a leg kick which misses Sanchez's front leg but catches the back leg as Sanchez tries to avoid it.
Sanchez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sanchez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sanchez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ascanio jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sanchez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ascanio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ascanio darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sanchez avoids the body shot from Ascanio.
Ascanio leaves Sanchez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sanchez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sanchez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ascanio.
A telegraphed right hand from Sanchez misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanchez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ascanio defends well and Sanchez ends up having to push Ascanio into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez wants to take the fight to the mat but Ascanio manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sanchez is trying to pull guard but Ascanio has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Dante Ascanio will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sanchez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ascanio.
Sanchez loads up on a big right hand but Ascanio slips the punch.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt.
Ascanio looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
Sanchez throws an overhand right that lands on Ascanio's shoulder, as Ascanio tries to avoid the shot.
Ascanio misses with an uppercut. Sanchez saw that one coming.
Sanchez shoots in but Ascanio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ascanio loads up on a big right hand but Sanchez slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Ascanio.
A jab from Ascanio finds it's way through Sanchez's defenses.
Ascanio uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sanchez.
Sanchez looks for a takedown but Ascanio sprawls well.
Dante Ascanio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Altemio Sanchez.
Sanchez looks to throw the jab but Ascanio is out of range.
A slow jab from Sanchez misses its intended target.
Ascanio moves away from the strike by Sanchez.
Sanchez closes the distance and clinches up with Ascanio, looking for a takedown. Sanchez pushes Ascanio against the cage but Ascanio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Ascanio darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ascanio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanchez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but Ascanio sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sanchez ducks under a wild hook from Ascanio.
Sanchez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sanchez moves out of range as Ascanio strikes.
Ascanio slips a straight right by Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a hook but Ascanio avoids it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good shot there by Ascanio.
Ascanio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ascanio defends it nicely.
Sanchez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ascanio sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sanchez somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ascanio fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanchez manages to avoid it.
Ascanio connects with the punch.
Sanchez takes one to the side of the head.
Sanchez misses with an uppercut. Ascanio saw that one coming.
Ascanio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanchez misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ascanio connects with a body shot that sends Sanchez's belly button to the back.
Good standup being displayed there by Ascanio as he connects with a hook.
Sanchez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ascanio.
Dante Ascanio is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sanchez throws an overhand right that lands on Ascanio's shoulder, as Ascanio tries to avoid the shot.
Sanchez blocks a leg kick.
Sanchez throws a looping overhand right but Ascanio ducks down to avoid it.
Sanchez throws a looping overhand right but Ascanio ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sanchez throws a right hand that misses
and Ascanio cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ascanio moves into range and connects with a jab.
Altemio Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ascanio moves away from the strike by Sanchez.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Ascanio showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ascanio has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 49:47
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dante Ascanio!
As Dante Ascanio got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: SWEET BABY JESUS! A striker won the whole Epic FF tournament? Suck iiiit! Where is my money bitches?'.
Altemio Sanchez was interviewed post fight and said 'vittupillusaatana!'.