PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark MacLeod (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Mark MacLeod has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

MacLeod
vs
Sanchez

180 cm
22
160 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

183 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark MacLeod!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Diego Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez moves out of range as MacLeod throws a body kick.
Sanchez shoots in for a double leg but MacLeod sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
MacLeod throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
MacLeod pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
MacLeod tries a head kick but it misses.
Sanchez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MacLeod.
MacLeod throws a series of punches but Sanchez moves out of range.
MacLeod just misses with a punch to the body.
MacLeod throws a push kick but Sanchez slaps the foot to one side.
MacLeod with a body punch. A glancing blow.
MacLeod throws the left hand but Sanchez avoids the punch easily.
Sanchez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MacLeod.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacLeod misses with a wild body shot.
MacLeod tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
MacLeod looks to land a left hand but Sanchez moved out of range nicely.
MacLeod scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sanchez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanchez darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura but MacLeod is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sanchez to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MacLeod preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Sanchez is working for a kimura but MacLeod is defending it quite comfortably.
MacLeod tries to kick Sanchez off but Sanchez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
MacLeod trying to hold on to Sanchez's head to control him but Sanchez postures up.
MacLeod pushes Sanchez off looking to stand but Sanchez dives back in and keeps control.
MacLeod is breathing heavily.

Sanchez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura but MacLeod is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sanchez to get the leverage.

Sanchez looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Sanchez trying to control from half guard but MacLeod is working away.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
MacLeod thuds a left hand into Sanchez's body.
MacLeod scores with a three punch combo!
MacLeod lands with a hook. Sanchez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
MacLeod lands with a nice combination. Sanchez backs away looking to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
MacLeod fails to land with a series of punches.
MacLeod uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd cheers as MacLeod lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sanchez doesn't seem phased though.
MacLeod lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sanchez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
MacLeod rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sanchez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sanchez slips a jab and a cross from MacLeod.
Sanchez fails to land the takedown.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but MacLeod sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mark MacLeod has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Sanchez.
Sanchez shoots in but MacLeod avoids the takedown attempt easily.
MacLeod ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez slips a jab and a cross from MacLeod.
MacLeod stuffs the takedown attempt from Sanchez. Sanchez gets slowly back to his feet.
MacLeod scores with a decent looking hook.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt.
MacLeod lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sanchez backs up against the cage.
MacLeod throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sanchez closes this distance looking for a takedown but MacLeod circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
MacLeod misses with the combination.
MacLeod throws a jab but it's blocked by Sanchez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark MacLeod dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

MacLeod stuffs the takedown.
MacLeod throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice body punch from MacLeod.
MacLeod jabs Sanchez right on the nose. Sanchez blinks but takes it well.
MacLeod lands a slapping body shot.
Sanchez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
MacLeod stuns Sanchez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
MacLeod scores with a decent looking hook.
MacLeod lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
MacLeod throws a series of punches but Sanchez avoids them all with ease.
MacLeod works over Sanchez's head and body with a nice combination.
MacLeod throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mark MacLeod is winning the standup battle so far.
Sanchez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has MacLeod pinned against the cage. MacLeod gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
MacLeod looks to land a combination. Sanchez sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sanchez shoots in for a double leg but MacLeod sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mark MacLeod has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Sanchez.
MacLeod throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sanchez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. MacLeod tries to avoid it but Sanchez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag MacLeod to the ground. MacLeod escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
MacLeod throws a combination. Sanchez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sanchez shoots for a takedown but MacLeod saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
MacLeod moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Some bone on bone action there as Sanchez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
MacLeod throws an overhand right that lands on Sanchez's shoulder, as Sanchez tries to avoid the shot.
Sanchez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has MacLeod pinned against the cage. MacLeod gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sanchez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sanchez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
MacLeod misses with the combination.
Sanchez dodges the punch combination from MacLeod.
Sanchez ducks under a wild hook from MacLeod.
Sanchez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? MacLeod is fending him off so far but Sanchez persists. Nope, MacLeod circles away and we're back to standing.
Sanchez takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
MacLeod looks to land a right hand but Sanchez moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez fails with the takedown.
Mark MacLeod is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanchez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
MacLeod is working the combinations to good effect here.
MacLeod throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sanchez.
Mark MacLeod is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Sanchez drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sanchez throws a strike but MacLeod rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
MacLeod forces his way into half guard.
MacLeod looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back.
Sanchez is staying active underneath MacLeod, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from MacLeod.
MacLeod wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy.
Sanchez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Sanchez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but MacLeod can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sanchez looking to hit a scissor sweep but MacLeod is one step ahead there.
Sanchez striking off his back but it's not causing MacLeod any problems.
Sanchez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst MacLeod is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark MacLeod dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

MacLeod lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
MacLeod displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
MacLeod will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
MacLeod connects with a crisp jab.
Sanchez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as MacLeod throws out the jab.
MacLeod lands a two punch combo.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but MacLeod sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sanchez drops his hands momentarily and MacLeod takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
MacLeod thows a left - swing and a miss!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez checks the leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from MacLeod as Sanchez shoots in.
MacLeod throws a nice looking combination but Sanchez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacLeod stuns Sanchez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt.
Mark MacLeod has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Sanchez.
A combination from MacLeod does no damage.
MacLeod throws a nice looking combination but Sanchez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sanchez shoots for a double leg takedown but MacLeod sprawls well. He's pushed Sanchez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
MacLeod lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sanchez circles away quickly and effectively.
MacLeod swinging wilding here.

Sanchez shoots in and bounces MacLeod off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

MacLeod has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sanchez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Diego Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacLeod will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Sanchez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but MacLeod is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanchez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
MacLeod wants to stand and escape but Sanchez is having none of it.
MacLeod bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sanchez's guard.
Sanchez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sanchez looking to control.
Sanchez trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Sanchez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sanchez trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.
Sanchez will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sanchez moves out of range of the body kick.
MacLeod connects with the punch.
MacLeod with a hook.
No luck for Sanchez with that takedown attempt.
Sanchez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
MacLeod throws a body kick that misses.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says MacLeod as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Decent striking displayed by MacLeod there.
Sanchez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A good leg kick by Sanchez.
Sanchez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
MacLeod misses with a series of wild punches.
MacLeod scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mark MacLeod is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sanchez takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nice defenses there by Sanchez.
MacLeod throws a shot from downtown. Sanchez moves away and avoids it.
Sanchez pivots, looking for a leg kick but MacLeod is out of range and Sanchez settles back down.
Sanchez moves out of range as MacLeod throws a body kick.
Sanchez throws a head kick but MacLeod moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark MacLeod showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for MacLeod, 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark MacLeod!