PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adis Tankov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez comes to the cage accompanied by Sublime - Santaria. This should be fireworks!

Sanchez
vs
Tankov

188 cm
27
180 lbs
24 - 5 - 0

181 cm
28
177 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Hellbent

Rōnin
Rōnin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Adis Tankov!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Eddie Farnsworth and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tankov throws out a leg kick but Sanchez moves out of range and Tankov only half commits.
Sanchez digs a good hook to Tankov's body.
Tankov thows a body kick. Sanchez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Xavier Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tankov throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tankov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tankov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tankov throws a chopping leg kick but Sanchez manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tankov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tankov!
Sanchez throws a jab but it's blocked by Tankov.
A good leg kick by Sanchez.
This has been an exciting period of action!
That kick from Tankov tenderised Sanchez's leg. Sanchez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sanchez fakes the leg kick and cracks Tankov in the body.
Tankov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Tankov scores with a takedown into Sanchez's guard.
Sanchez trying to keep a closed guard but Tankov is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sanchez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tankov's guard.
Sanchez tries to free his leg and advance position but Tankov is retaining full guard.
Sanchez won't allow Tankov to sweep him here.
Sanchez wants to pass the guard but Tankov is keeping the position.
Sanchez trying to control but Tankov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tankov is keeping the position for now.
Sanchez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanchez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tankov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tankov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sanchez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tankov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tankov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sanchez is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is trying to control the position but Tankov postures up.
Sanchez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tankov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sanchez is looking to sweep but instead, Tankov has passed into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sanchez wants to control but Tankov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sanchez moves into full guard.

Tankov drops back looking for a leg! Sanchez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sanchez manages to kick Tankov off! Tankov jumps back into Sanchez's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tankov wants to stand but Sanchez is controlling his posture from full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tankov postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xavier Sanchez will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice cross by Sanchez.
Tankov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a body punch but Tankov moves out of range.
Sanchez checks a low kick from Tankov.
Tankov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Sanchez connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tankov momentarily.

It looks like Adis Tankov has been cut.
Sanchez digs a good body shot into Tankov's ribs.
Tankov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sanchez throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tankov.
Sanchez lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sanchez moves out of range of the leg kick from Tankov.
Tankov thumps Sanchez with a low kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Sanchez!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tankov throws a leg kick
and Sanchez counters with a nice kick to the body.
Sanchez just misses with a punch to the body.

Tankov clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankov pushes off an throws an elbow but Sanchez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tankov looking to slow down the pace here.
Tankov misses with a knee to the head.
Tankov working hard to break the clinch.
Tankov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tankov throws an elbow that misses.
Sanchez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sanchez managing to block the knees to the body from Tankov.
Sanchez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sanchez working hard to break the clinch.
Tankov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sanchez up against the cage.
Tankov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanchez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sanchez creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tankov misses with a knee to the head.
Tankov trying to stall but Sanchez improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez gets through Tankov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tankov pushes off an throws an elbow but Sanchez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A short uppercut from Sanchez.
Tankov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sanchez can't find room to land a body shot as Tankov controls the action.
Tankov blocks a body shot from Sanchez.
Tankov blocking some punches.
Tankov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tankov blocks an uppercut.
Sanchez lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tankov backwards.
Sanchez lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tankov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sanchez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tankov backwards.
Tankov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sanchez avoiding damage.
Tankov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sanchez stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tankov prevents a body shot from Sanchez.
Sanchez tries a body shot but Tankov blocks it.

Sanchez manages to break the clinch.
Tankov checks a low kick from Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Adis Tankov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanchez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sanchez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sanchez throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tankov throws a front kick aimed at Sanchez's knee but Sanchez avoids it well.
Tankov moves out of range as Sanchez throws a body kick.
A head kick misses from Tankov.
Tankov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanchez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sanchez throws a hook to the side of Tankov's head but Tankov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tankov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Xavier Sanchez is winning the standup battle so far.
Tankov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sanchez but Sanchez pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tankov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tankov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sanchez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sanchez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sanchez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tankov was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanchez.
Tankov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice uppercut there from Sanchez.
Sanchez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sanchez wants it to stay on the feet.
Sanchez throws a wild body kick that Tankov sees coming a mile off.
Tankov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez swings for the body but Tankov moves out of range.
Sanchez misses with a straight left.
Tankov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sanchez's calf.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Sanchez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Adis Tankov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sanchez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sanchez throws a push kick but Tankov slaps the foot to one side.

Tankov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sanchez tries to get to full guard but Tankov has control of the leg.
Sanchez moves into full guard.
Sanchez keeping full guard, as Tankov tries to pass.
Sanchez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tankov wants to stand but Sanchez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez has control of Tankov's left arm, preventing Tankov from doing any damage.
Sanchez working a defensive guard here.
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tankov thumps Sanchez with a low kick.
Good work by Tankov as he checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tankov tries to land a leg kick but Sanchez saw it coming and moves away.
Tankov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sanchez checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tankov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sanchez is out of range and Tankov settles back down.
Sanchez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tankov throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tankov throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez scores with a jab to the head.
Sanchez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tankov throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanchez tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tankov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sanchez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tankov on the side of the head.
Sanchez thows a leg kick but Tankov checks it
and Tankov counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez throws a leg kick that misses.
Nice body kick there by Tankov.
Sanchez throws a big shot that misses.
Tankov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sanchez.
Sanchez throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tankov checks a low kick from Sanchez.
Tankov tries to work over Sanchez's front leg with a kick but Sanchez checks it.
Sanchez is looking to slow Tankov down with leg kicks.
Sanchez pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tankov is out of range and Sanchez settles back down.
Sanchez throws a front kick aimed at Tankov's knee but Tankov avoids it well.
Sanchez 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.
Sanchez blocks a leg kick.
A low kick from Tankov is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tankov connects with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tankov misses with a body kick.
Sanchez throws a wild body kick that Tankov sees coming a mile off.
Tankov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sanchez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez moves out of range of the body kick.

Sanchez gets tackled into the cage by Tankov. Tankov maintains the clinch.
Sanchez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tankovs head.
Tankov tries to land a knee to the head but Sanchez blocks with his arms.
Sanchez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tankovs head.
Sanchez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tankov is keeping busy.
Sanchez is looking to break free of the clinch but Tankov has double underhooks.
Adis Tankov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanchez has had enough of the clinch but Tankov keeps him there for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tankov.
Sanchez blocks an elbow strike.
Xavier Sanchez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tankov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tankov trying to control the position but instead, Sanchez has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tankov into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Adis Tankov.
I think Sanchez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Sanchez!
Xavier Sanchez made sure to mention his sponsor, Hellbent in his post fight interview.