|
Play
by Play - Fighter's Fight Commentary
|
Event:
QFC Tournament 993 Round 1
Date: Jul 10, 2020 |
#R1# The bell rings for round one and we are underway!#TD2# Xao shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Xao showed some decent athleticism there. Sanchez is concentrating on defense, preventing Xao from advancing position. Sanchez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Xao is working away from the top position though. Xao trying to control from half guard but Sanchez is working away. Xao is just content to waste time from the top position. Sanchez takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Xao working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Sanchez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far. Xao must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu. Xao trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. #T1# Xao might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sanchez haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time. The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up. Xao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sanchez swivels though and keeps the full guard. #REF3# The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet. Sanchez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Xao as he jumps to the side. Xao stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanchez. Sanchez gets slowly back to his feet. #TD2# Xao gets the takedown into side control. #SUB2# Xao is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sanchez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now. #T2# Xao tries to move to mount but Sanchez blocks the move with his legs. Xao wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy. #SU2# Xao stands up and we're back to a striking position. Xao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sanchez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Xao. Xao shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sanchez pinned against the cage. Sanchez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away. #T3# Sanchez blocks a head kick by Xao.
Sanchez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Xao as he avoids it easily. That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.#CL2# Xao takes the fight into the clinch. Sanchez blocking some punches.
#TD2# Xao decides to pull guard. Sanchez with a flurry of punches that miss. Sanchez controls from within his opponent's guard. #T4# Sanchez's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground. Sanchez stopping the sweep attempt from Xao. We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Xao can do anything to dispel that myth. Xao working a defensive guard but Sanchez manages to pass into side control anyway.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out! Xao is looking for a sweep. Xao really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sanchez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out. Sanchez is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kai Xao dominated that round. That's time! Sanchez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.#R2# Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt. No luck for Xao with that takedown attempt. Sanchez is looking to counter with head kicks. Xao shoots for a takedown but Sanchez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.#CL# Sanchez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here. Sanchez stalls. Xao is trying to pull guard but Sanchez has him pressed against the cage. Aaron Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kai Xao. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Xao is trying to pull guard but Sanchez turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch. Xao has Sanchez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sanchez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing. #TD# Sanchez manages to pull guard.
Sanchez wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now. #T1##SUB# Sanchez has his foot on Xao's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Xao works his way back into a safe position though. Sanchez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound. Sanchez looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanchez, not yet. Xao scores with a decent looking elbow strike. Sanchez is looking to stand up but Xao isn't so interested in that idea. #REF3# The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sanchez.#T2# A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.#CL2# Xao drives through and clinches with Sanchez against the cage.
Xao keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sanchez's efforts to push away. Xao jumps guard but Sanchez stands there with Xao around his waist. Xao gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
#TD2# Xao lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sanchez works his way to full guard. Good work.#SUB# Sanchez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Xao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Xao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. Xao throwing strikes but missing. #T3# Xao missing there with some ground and pound from the guard. Sanchez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Xao trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom. Sanchez wants to sweep here but Xao controlling him for the moment. #REF3# The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet. Xao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Xao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sanchez paws at him with a jab and circles away. Sanchez with a poor takedown and Xao counters with a big head kick but Sanchez shrugs it off. Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.#T4# Sanchez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion. Xao swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made. Sanchez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Xao.
Xao's corner calls for a 1-2. Xao obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range. Xao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sanchez moves out of range and avoids them all easily. Sanchez throws a counter high kick but Xao was just alert enough to avoid it. A looping hook to the body misses from Sanchez. Xao does a little dance to reset his feet. Xao shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sanchez as he avoids it easily. Xao lands a right hook to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!#TD2# Xao looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sanchez!#ES# Sanchez sneaks out the side door and pushes Xao away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Kai Xao will probably get the nod - 10:9. The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!#R3# Some wild striking there from Sanchez.
#CL2# Xao pushes Sanchez up against the cage in a clinch. Xao is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage. Xao has had enough of the clinch but Sanchez keeps him there for the moment.#BC# Sanchez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Xao shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sanchez sprawls well. Sanchez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Xao gets slowly back to his feet. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Sanchez wants to clinch.#T1# Xao tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sanchez defends well and Xao ends up having to push Sanchez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.#CL# Sanchez gets in close and instigates a clinch. Sanchez prevents the takedown attempt.
Aaron Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kai Xao. Xao jumps guard but Sanchez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing. Xao takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.#TD# Sanchez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Xao uses from the top position. #SUB# Xao got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sanchez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Xao has managed to get both his arms back between Sanchez's legs - danger averted. Xao engaging in some classic timewasting tactics. Xao scoring with some ground and pound. #T2# Xao trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Sanchez looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanchez, not yet. Sanchez is working hard here to advance position. Xao makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard. Xao looking to pass the guard. #SUB# Sanchez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
#REF3# The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.#T3##CL# Sanchez pushes Xao up against the cage in a clinch.#TD2# Xao drags the fight down to the ground.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Xao keeps moving. #SUB2# Sanchez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Xao has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sanchez has managed to get both his arms back between Xao's legs - danger averted.#SU# Sanchez stands and steps away. Xao gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game. #CL# Sanchez gets in close and instigates a clinch. Sanchez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Xao.
#TD# Sanchez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sanchez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard. #T4# Xao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet. #SUB# Sanchez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Xao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Xao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. Xao throwing strikes from guard but Sanchez blocks nicely. #SU2# Xao gets to his feet - Sanchez follows without any prompting. Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out! Xao scores with a nice head shot. Sanchez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sanchez wants it to stay on the feet.
And that's the end of the fight! Aaron Sanchez showed his dominance in that final round. I think Xao has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Aaron Sanchez! Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Kai Xao! Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Aaron Sanchez!
Aaron Sanchez wins by split decision! |
|
|
|
|
|
|