PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kainn Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Laus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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
Laus

186 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kainn Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Niko Laus!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanchez clinches up with Laus and pushes him back against the cage.
Sanchez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Laus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sanchez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Laus fails to pull guard.
Sanchez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Laus successfully pulls guard.

Laus uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Laus fails with the takedown.
Kainn Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Laus.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but Laus circles away easily

and Laus counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Laus tries to stand and escape but Sanchez is controlling the position.

Laus wants to work for an arm triangle but Sanchez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sanchez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Laus sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sanchez defending well though.
Laus stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez wants to control but Laus is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Laus.
Sanchez is trying to control but can't.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Sanchez shoots and misses

and Laus counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sanchez won't be happy with that.

Laus tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sanchez is trying to get back to half guard.
Sanchez is trying to control Laus's posture but Laus avoids it.
Laus trying to control the action but Sanchez is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laus in side control, just content to control the action for now.
You can see the frustration on Sanchez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Sanchez's face as Laus controls the position.
Laus tries to move to mount but Sanchez blocks the move with his legs.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Sanchez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Laus to the mat! Laus manages to get full guard.
Laus keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.
Laus is trying to control the position but Sanchez postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Laus keeps moving.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.
Sanchez looking to pass the guard.
Laus trying to keep a closed guard but Sanchez is proving a slippery customer.
Laus seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Laus keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laus is pressing down on Sanchez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sanchez is holding on for now.
Laus passes to full mount!
Sanchez is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sanchez is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Laus has taken his back!

Sanchez is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Laus shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Laus controlling from mount.
Sanchez is desperately trying to improve his position but Laus has a good base and remains in mount.
Laus controlling from mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Laus looking to ground and pound but Sanchez is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laus looking to ground and pound but Sanchez is blocking nicely.
Laus misses with a head shot.
Sanchez can't escape the position.
Laus tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Laus get's back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Laus gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sanchez makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Laus really felt that one!
Sanchez fails with the takedown

and Laus counters with a single leg into guard. Sanchez didn't expect that.
Laus wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Sanchez seems keen to control Laus's posture.
Laus not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Despite being in the dominant position, Niko Laus just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Laus drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sanchez defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez struggling a bit here.
Laus in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Laus is looking to take a break and control but Sanchez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sanchez can't do much from the bottom here.
Laus trying to control the position but Sanchez is working away.
Sanchez is looking to regain half guard here but Laus keeps moving and retains side control.
Sanchez is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Laus off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Laus staying busy and making it hard for Sanchez to control.

Sanchez is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Laus is defending well though. Sanchez let's go of the attempt for now.
Niko Laus has got the better of the ground game so far.
Laus manages to reverse the position and now he's in Sanchez's guard. Nice work there by Laus.

Sanchez throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Laus escapes and throws Sanchez's legs to the side, diving into side control!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Sanchez tries to buck Laus off but Laus is having none of it.
Sanchez is working hard here to advance position.
Laus taking a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Laus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sanchez walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Laus checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sanchez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Laus.

Sanchez closes the distance and clinches.

Laus ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Laus no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Sanchez being controlled here momentarily.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Laus keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Laus escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sanchez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Laus lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sanchez!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laus controlling his opponent.

Laus is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Laus misses with a takedown attempt
and Laus takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Sanchez has managed to clinch.
Laus 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 wants a takedown but no success here.
Laus crunches a lovely knee into Sanchez's ribcage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sanchez.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sanchez has Laus pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Laus manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sanchez jumps guard but Laus stands there with Sanchez around his waist. Sanchez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kainn Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Laus fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laus looks for a takedown but Sanchez sprawls well.
Sanchez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt

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

Laus manages to break the clinch.
Laus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sanchez pinned against the cage. Sanchez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sanchez looks to land a combination but Laus avoids it well.
Sanchez with a poor takedown

and Laus counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Laus is thwarting Sanchez's attempts to control the position.

Laus decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez with a lazy takedown attempt

and Laus counters with a shoot takedown. Sanchez fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laus looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Laus won't allow Sanchez to sweep him here.
Laus is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sanchez looking to control.

Sanchez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Laus can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Laus stays in close to Sanchez's body and controls the position.
Laus stops Sanchez from standing up.
Laus wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Sanchez is trying to control the position but Laus postures up.
Kainn Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sanchez looking for a guillotine here but Laus defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niko Laus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Laus winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niko Laus!