PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pelayo Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Sabre (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.

Palhares
vs
Sabre

174 cm
23
196 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

189 cm
26
191 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Hellbent, Inc.™

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pelayo Palhares!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matt Sabre!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palhares throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sabre thows a body shot but no joy.
Palhares swings for the body but Sabre moves out of range.
Palhares shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sabre defends it nicely.

Sabre fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Palhares, pushing him back against the cage.
Palhares is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sabre gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sabre is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A short body shot lands from Sabre as the two fighters clinch.
Palhares tries to pull guard but Sabre won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelayo Palhares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice left hand lands by Sabre.
Sabre lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Palhares.
Sabre misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sabre lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Pelayo Palhares has been cut.
Sabre displaying some good clinch control by pressing Palhares up against the cage.
Sabre keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Palhares's efforts to push away.
Sabre working Palhares over with knees to the body.
Palhares wants a takedown.
Palhares tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sabre is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palhares is defending well for now.
Palhares blocks an uppercut.
Palhares dodges an elbow strike from Sabre.
Sabre comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sabre missing with knees to the body.
Sabre can't find room to land a body shot as Palhares controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sabre prevents the takedown attempt.
Sabre lands a left hand.
Palhares blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sabre leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sabre lands a left hand that snaps the head of Palhares backwards.
Palhares drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sabre gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Palhares tries to pull guard but Sabre holds him up against the cage and eventually Palhares drops back down to his feet.
Sabre lands with a short shot to the head.
Palhares can't break the clinch.
Sabre lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabre taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Palhares changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sabre fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Palhares ducks under a wild hook from Sabre.
Palhares looks to score with a jab to the body but Sabre is just out of range.
A jab from Sabre misses.
Palhares throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sabre lands with a thumping leg kick.
Palhares tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sabre swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabre misses the shot to the body.
Sabre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palhares throws a good cross that connects.
Sabre tries to clinch there but Palhares circles away.
A jab from Palhares misses.
Sabre tries to close the distance and clinch but Palhares swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sabre just misses with a punch to the body.
Sabre looks to land a left hand but Palhares moved out of range nicely.
Palhares misses with the combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sabre lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Palhares tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Sabre dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pelayo Palhares's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sabre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Palhares.
Palhares closes the distance and clinches up with Sabre, looking for a takedown. Palhares pushes Sabre against the cage but Sabre circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sabre displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Palhares.
Palhares throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sabre scores with a head kick. Palhares tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Palhares throws out a loose jab but Sabre uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palhares stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sabre.
Palhares fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelayo Palhares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sabre wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sabre cracks a nice hook into Palhares's ribs.
Nice shot by Sabre.
Sabre dips to his left and cracks Palhares with an uppercut!
Matt Sabre seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Palhares throws an overhand right that lands on Sabre's shoulder, as Sabre tries to avoid the shot.
A head kick misses from Sabre.
Sabre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Palhares.
Palhares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sabre.
Sabre swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sabre on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Palhares tries for a takedown but Sabre sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sabre takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Palhares throws a hook but Sabre blocks it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Palhares checks a leg kick.

Palhares shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Palhares was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sabre reaches up and holds on to Palhares to control the position.
Sabre keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sabre is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Palhares can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sabre is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabre wants to hold on but Palhares pushes him away.
Sabre keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Palhares tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sabre is wriggling around trying to escape.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Palhares looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Sabre is desperately trying to improve his position but Palhares has a good base and remains in mount.
Sabre tries to hold on but Palhares postures up.
Sabre holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Palhares tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabre keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sabre is squirming around, avoiding Palhares's attempts to control the action.
Palhares controlling from the full mount.
Palhares lands with some strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sabre is looking to get to half guard.

Palhares working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
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 Pelayo Palhares will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pelayo Palhares's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sabre takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sabre tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Palhares is able to avoid easily.
Palhares fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sabre fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sabre has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Palhares looks to land a left hand but Sabre moved out of range nicely.
Sabre swings for the body but Palhares moves out of range.
Sabre throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Palhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sabre was well out of range. Poor timing from Palhares.
Palhares takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sabre throws a leg kick but Palhares moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares lands an overhand right.
Pelayo Palhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palhares on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sabre moves out of range as Palhares strikes.
Palhares dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sabre tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Palhares has a takedown stuffed.
Sabre pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The fighters circling - Palhares throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sabre avoids the body shot from Palhares.
Sabre tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares throws a body punch but Sabre moves out of range.
Palhares takes a swing at Sabre's ribcage but misses.
Sabre stuffs the takedown attempt from Palhares. Palhares gets slowly back to his feet.
Matt Sabre is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Palhares throws an overhand right that lands on Sabre's shoulder, as Sabre tries to avoid the shot.
Palhares on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sabre. Sabre obviously looking to wear him down.
Sabre scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sabre walks into a jab.
Sabre throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sabre throws a nice inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sabre.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Palhares.
Palhares missing with a left hand there. Sabre was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Palhares shoots in but Sabre avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelayo Palhares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sabre tries to clinch up.
Palhares throws a big shot that misses.
Sabre ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Palhares moves away.
Palhares has a takedown stuffed.
Palhares throws a hook to the side of Sabre's head but Sabre sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Palhares is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Palhares throws a hook but Sabre blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabre connects with a leg kick. Palhares looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sabre misses with a body shot.
Palhares takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sabre is looking to score with low kicks.
Sabre lands a nice leg kick that just misses Palhares's sensitive parts.
Sabre throws a body kick the misses
and Palhares counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sabre.
Sabre throws a leg kick but Palhares checks it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Palhares avoids a kick to the body.
Sabre thows a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Sabre really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pelayo Palhares's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Palhares has a takedown stuffed.
Palhares misses with a body shot.
Sabre attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sabre tries a head kick but it misses.
Sabre throws a head kick that half lands.
A head kick from Sabre lands but Palhares takes it in his stride.
Good exchange - Palhares coming out on top.
Palhares throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sabre cracks Palhares with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Palhares fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sabre tries to land a front kick but Palhares steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Palhares shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sabre as he jumps to the side.
Sloppy strikes from Sabre. Those never looked like landing.
Palhares takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sabre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sabre fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Palhares has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Palhares misses with a lunging right hand
and Sabre makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Palhares.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelayo Palhares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sabre.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sabre counters with a body kick.
A slow jab from Palhares misses its intended target.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Palhares crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sabre - the referee stops the clock and Palhares gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sabre. Palhares manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sabre jabs Palhares to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sabre scores with a leg kick.
Sabre throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A thudding body kick lands there by Sabre!
Sabre thows a body shot but no joy.
Sabre cracks Palhares with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sabre attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sabre.
A jab lands there for Sabre.
Sabre chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sabre tries a head kick but it misses.
Sabre lands a right hook to the body.
Sabre scores with a kick to the body.
Sabre throws a shot to the body.
Palhares takes a kick to the side of the head.
Sabre swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sabre thuds a left hand into Palhares's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Palhares.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nice body kick there by Sabre.
Sabre scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sabre uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Palhares.
Palhares looks to score with a jab to the body but Sabre is just out of range.
Sabre scores with a kick to the midsection.
Sabre pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sabre stuffs the takedown.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sabre tries to clinch up.

Palhares tries to keep at a distance but Sabre has taken the fight into the clinch.
Palhares is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sabre gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Sabre dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Pelayo Palhares's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Palhares shoots in but Sabre avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Palhares looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sabre scores with a nice head shot.
Palhares is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Palhares swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sabre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Palhares.
Sabre throws a lazy right hand but Palhares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sabre swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Palhares scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sabre doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pelayo Palhares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sabre fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Palhares is out of range.
Sabre throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sabre looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sabre is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Sabre attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sabre lands a head kick!
Sabre has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice straight punches there by Palhares. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Palhares.
Palhares takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sabre jabs Palhares to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sabre sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sabre lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Palhares.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sabre misses with a hook. Palhares ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Sabre misses.
Sabre pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sabre thuds a left hand into Palhares's body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palhares. Sabre does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sabre lands a front kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sabre as he jumps to the side.
Nice jab there from Sabre.
Sabre throws a nice inside leg kick.
Palhares on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Palhares will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Palhares throws an overhand right that lands on Sabre's shoulder, as Sabre tries to avoid the shot.
Sabre tries to clinch there but Palhares circles away.
Sabre tries a head kick but it misses.
Sabre fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sabre with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pelayo Palhares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabre lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sabre jabs Palhares to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sabre misses with a looping right.
Sabre throws a head kick that Palhares semi-blocks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sabre misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sabre fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Matt Sabre is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sabre throws a nice inside leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sabre misses with a straight left.
Palhares misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Palhares misses with a jab to the body
and Sabre counters with a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Sabre comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sabre 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Sabre!
Matt Sabre is the new middleweight champion!