PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Enojado Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pauli Purjonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Sanchez
vs
Purjonen

185 cm
18
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Enojado Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pauli Purjonen!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez moves in looking to clinch but Purjonen pushes him off.
Sanchez scoring well with a low kick there.

Sanchez closes the distance and pushes Purjonen back into the cage.
Sanchez wants a takedown but no success here.
Sanchez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sanchez with a knee to the head.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but Purjonen manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Enojado Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Purjonen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sanchez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A low kick from Purjonen misses

and Sanchez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sanchez can't get the takedown.
Purjonen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Purjonen blocks an elbow strike.

Sanchez breaks from the clinch.
Purjonen misses with a few strikes there.
Sanchez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sanchez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Purjonen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Purjonen is looking to chop away at Sanchez's legs.
Purjonen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to clinch up.
Sanchez is looking to clinch.
Sanchez tries to clinch up.
Sanchez doesn't manage to clinch there - Purjonen circles away.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Purjonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sanchez as he avoids it easily.
Purjonen looks gassed!
Sanchez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sanchez wants to clinch up but Purjonen keeps it at a distance.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt.
Purjonen closes the distance looking to clinch

and Sanchez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Purjonen avoids a wild elbow strike from Sanchez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sanchez is pushing Purjonen up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Sanchez breaks from the clinch.
Sanchez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sanchez throws a left and a right that both miss

and Purjonen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Purjonen.
Sanchez lands an elbow inside that Purjonen shrugs off.
Sanchez lands an elbow just above Purjonen 's eye.
Sanchez prevents a body shot from Purjonen.
Sanchez working Purjonen over with knees to the body.
Sanchez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Purjonen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sanchez slows down the pace here.

Sanchez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sanchez darts in trying to clinch

and Purjonen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sanchez is pushing Purjonen up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Purjonen blocking some punches.
Sanchez leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sanchez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Purjonen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sanchez pushes off an throws an elbow but Purjonen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sanchez prevents the takedown attempt.

Sanchez manages to break the clinch.
Sanchez clinches but Purjonen breaks the clinch

and Purjonen counters by clinching up.
Sanchez is trying to maintain a safe position but Purjonen gets an underhook and turns Sanchez into the cage.
Sanchez creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A combination from Sanchez does no damage.
Sanchez tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Purjonen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Purjonen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Purjonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sanchez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Sanchez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sanchez wants to clinch

and Purjonen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sanchez effectively controlling the action here.
Sanchez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Purjonen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Purjonen is trying to break the clinch but Sanchez has him pressed against the cage.
Sanchez working Purjonen over with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Enojado Sanchez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sanchez looks to clinch
and Purjonen counters with a series of strikes. Sanchez will be more careful next time no doubt.
Purjonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sanchez is fending him off so far but Purjonen persists. Nope, Sanchez circles away and we're back to standing.
Purjonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sanchez looks to clinch

and Purjonen counters by moving into the clinch.
Sanchez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Purjonen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sanchez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Purjonen gets underhooks to prevent Sanchez's takedown attempt.
Sanchez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Purjonen avoids it.
Sanchez comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sanchez creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Purjonen's defenses.
Nice elbow from Sanchez.
Sanchez lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sanchez misses with an elbow strike.
Sanchez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sanchez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Purjonen's elbow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Purjonen prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Enojado Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sanchez breaks the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Purjonen or perhaps it was just good defense by Sanchez which made him look bad.
Enojado Sanchez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to clinch
and Purjonen counters with a three punch combo that has Sanchez backing up. Sanchez nods at Purjonen to acknowledge the strikes.
Sanchez tries to clinch

and Purjonen counters with a single leg into guard. Sanchez didn't expect that.
Sanchez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sanchez tries to get out of the position.
Purjonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sanchez scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Sanchez clinches but Purjonen breaks the clinch

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Purjonen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Purjonen.
Purjonen wants to stall.
Sanchez creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with a knee to the head.
Sanchez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Purjonen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Purjonen is looking to clinch but Sanchez is avoiding it.
Sanchez tries to clinch but Purjonen moves out of range.
Sanchez tries to clinch up but Purjonen circles away and keeps his distance.
Sanchez is looking to clinch but Purjonen is avoiding it.
Sanchez cracks the inside of Purjonen's front leg.
Purjonen circles away from the clinch attempt
and Purjonen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Purjonen stuffs the takedown.
Sanchez tries to clinch but Purjonen moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Purjonen throws an overhand right that lands on Sanchez's shoulder, as Sanchez tries to avoid the shot.
Purjonen keeps the fight on the outside.

Sanchez rushes Purjonen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Sanchez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Purjonen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sanchez tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sanchez moves in looking to clinch but Purjonen pushes him off.
Sanchez throws a head kick that half lands.
Purjonen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sanchez circles away.
Sanchez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Enojado Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanchez throws a low kick but it's checked well by Purjonen.
Sanchez looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Purjonen circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Purjonen misses with a takedown attempt - Sanchez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sanchez throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Sanchez takes the fight into the clinch.
Sanchez trying to control the position but instead, Purjonen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sanchez into the cage.
Sanchez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sanchez comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Purjonen managing to block the knees to the body from Sanchez.
Sanchez lands a damaging elbow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sanchez lands a damaging elbow.
Purjonen jumps guard but Sanchez stands there with Purjonen around his waist. Purjonen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Purjonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Enojado Sanchez will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Purjonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sanchez as he avoids it easily.
Purjonen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sanchez defends it nicely.
Purjonen keeps the fight on the outside.

Sanchez gets a clinch.
Sanchez is trying to drag Purjonen to the mat but Purjonen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Sanchez breaks the clinch.
Sanchez fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Sanchez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Sanchez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Purjonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Purjonen throws a right hand that Sanchez ducks under and follows up with a left that Sanchez also avoids with ease.
Sanchez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Purjonen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Sanchez as Purjonen shoots in.
Enojado Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pauli Purjonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to clinch up.
Purjonen fails with a takedown attempt.
Sanchez shoots for a double leg takedown but Purjonen sprawls well. He's pushed Sanchez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sanchez shoots in for a double leg but Purjonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Sanchez drives through and clinches with Purjonen against the cage.

Sanchez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Purjonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Purjonen moves out of range as Sanchez throws a body kick.

Sanchez rushes Purjonen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sanchez wants to stall.
Purjonen leaning against his opponent.
Purjonen tries to break free but Sanchez pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Purjonen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Purjonen stops a takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Sanchez has Purjonen pushed against the cage.
Purjonen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sanchez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sanchez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Purjonen gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Sanchez. No joy for Purjonen on that attempt.
Sanchez tries to clinch up

and Purjonen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Purjonen stops a takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Purjonen tries to break the clinch but Sanchez is controlling the position.
Purjonen gets underhooks to prevent Sanchez's takedown attempt.
Sanchez missing with knees to the body.
Purjonen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Purjonen blocks the elbow strike.
Sanchez misses with a knee to the head.

Sanchez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez tried to score with a low kick but Purjonen checks it.
Purjonen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Purjonen looks for a takedown but Sanchez sprawls well.

Sanchez takes the fight into the clinch.
Purjonen is pressed up against the cage. Sanchez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Purjonen down to the mat. Purjonen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sanchez wants to clinch

and Purjonen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Purjonen.
Purjonen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sanchez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Purjonen takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Purjonen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Purjonen trying to control the position but instead, Sanchez has worked for underhooks and has pushed Purjonen into the cage.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sanchez clinches but Purjonen breaks the clinch

and Purjonen moves into the clinch.
Sanchez lands an elbow just above Purjonen 's eye.
Sanchez displaying some good clinch control by pressing Purjonen up against the cage.

Sanchez manages to break the clinch.
Purjonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Purjonen avoids the head kick by Sanchez.

Sanchez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Purjonen, pushing him back against the cage.
Sanchez looking to slow down the pace here.
Pauli Purjonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Enojado Sanchez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Purjonen tries to pull guard but Sanchez won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Enojado Sanchez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanchez, 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Enojado Sanchez!