PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcello Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cruz Jefferson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jefferson has chosen Damian Marley - Welcome to Jamrock as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sanchez
vs
Jefferson

183 cm
30
186 lbs
12 - 20 - 0

185 cm
35
185 lbs
23 - 24 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcello Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 24 - 0, fighting out of London, Cruz Jefferson!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Jefferson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sanchez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jefferson tries to avoid it but Sanchez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jefferson to the ground. Jefferson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jefferson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jefferson throws the left hand but Sanchez avoids the punch easily.

Sanchez is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Jefferson's half guard.
Sanchez wants to control but Jefferson is keeping him busy.

Sanchez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jefferson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sanchez.
Sanchez prevents Jefferson from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez trying to control from Jefferson's half guard. Jefferson has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Sanchez postures up in Jefferson's guard and throws a big left but Jefferson blocks it.
Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sanchez throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanchez wants to pass the guard but Jefferson is keeping the position.
Sanchez throws an elbow that misses. Jefferson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sanchez's guard. Nice move by Jefferson!

Sanchez working a defensive guard here.
Sanchez seems keen to control Jefferson's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jefferson tries to free his leg and advance position but Sanchez is retaining full guard.
Jefferson trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanchez is controlling Jefferson's posture.
Sanchez is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at SWF GYM - JUDO 'n' MMA that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Jefferson preventing the sweep.
Jefferson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Jefferson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sanchez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcello Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jefferson stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanchez. Sanchez gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jefferson tries to avoid it but Sanchez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jefferson to the ground. Jefferson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sanchez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jefferson defends well and Sanchez ends up having to push Jefferson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jefferson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jefferson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sanchez takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Marcello Sanchez has been cut.
Sanchez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jefferson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sanchez tries to pull guard but Jefferson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jefferson misses with a knee strike.
Jefferson connects with a knee to the head.
Jefferson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Jefferson lands an elbow that stopped Sanchez in his tracks for a moment.
Jefferson scores with a knee to the head.
Sanchez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jefferson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanchez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jefferson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jefferson lands a knee to the head.
Jefferson lands an elbow that stopped Sanchez in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez blocks an elbow strike.
Sanchez takes an elbow to the forehead.

Marcello Sanchez's cut is getting worse.
Sanchez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jefferson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jefferson lands a damaging elbow.

Sanchez is rocked!
Jefferson creates some distance for himselfand unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Sanchez's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Sanchez drops to his knees and Jefferson pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Cruz Jefferson!
Our winner, Cruz Jefferson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.