PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manny Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diago Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez has chosen Coming Home as his entrance music. 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.

Machado
vs
Sanchez

165 cm
20
150 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

180 cm
29
150 lbs
20 - 6 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Machado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Diago Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machado throws a nice looking combination but Sanchez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Machado throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sanchez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Machado cracks a nice hook into Sanchez's ribs.
Sanchez cracks Machado with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Machado misses with a straight right.
Machado misses with a looping right.
Machado shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Machado throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanchez connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Machado momentarily.
Sanchez throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sanchez jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sanchez is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Machado needs to keep his hands up - Sanchez had a free shot at his head there.
Machado tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sanchez is able to avoid easily.
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!
Machado fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Machado is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with a body kick.
Sanchez lands a head shot.
Machado throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanchez throws a jab when Machado was well out of range.
Sanchez connects with a jab.
Machado takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Machado lands with a cross.
Sanchez is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Machado had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Machado throws the left hand but Sanchez avoids the punch easily.
Sanchez is looking to slow Machado down with leg kicks.
Machado misses with a hook. Sanchez ducked under it nicely.
Machado misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanchez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado tries to clinch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Sanchez clinches.
Sanchez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machado tries to break free but Sanchez pushes him back against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Machado at a distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sanchez.
Sanchez is trying to ground and pound but Machado uses the momentary lack of control by Sanchez to regain half guard.
Sanchez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Machado's head.
Machado might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sanchez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is trying to control the action in half guard but Machado is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Machado is defending against the submission attempts here by Sanchez.
Machado slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Machado tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Machado trying to control the position.
Sanchez wants to pass the guard but Machado is keeping the position.
Machado trying to keep a closed guard but Sanchez is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is looking to work some ground and pound but Machado has wrist control.
Machado looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
Machado can't keep his opponent in guard - Sanchez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Machado is refusing to be controlled, as Sanchez sits in half guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Machado looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machado trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diago Sanchez dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sanchez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machado.

Machado darts in and clinches Sanchez up against the cage.
Sanchez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sanchez prevents a body shot from Machado.
Machado tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sanchez's elbow.
Machado tries to work over Sanchez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Machado lands a shot to the body.
Machado lands a shot to the body.

Sanchez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Machado shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sanchez defends it nicely.
Machado doesn't manage to clinch there - Sanchez circles away.
Machado is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Sanchez's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Machado looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
Machado moves away from the strike by Sanchez.
Machado throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanchez fails to land with a series of punches.
Machado misses with an uppercut. Sanchez saw that one coming.
Sanchez thows a body shot but no joy.
Machado jabs at Sanchez's body.
Machado is looking to clinch.
Machado thows a body shot but no joy.

Sanchez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Machado tries to roll over but Sanchez keeps him under control.
Sanchez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Machado is trying to maintain the position but Sanchez is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is working for a submission of some sort.
Machado tries to roll over but Sanchez keeps him under control.
Sanchez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Machado's head.
Machado is trying to control but can't.
Sanchez is trying to control the action in half guard but Machado is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Machado wants to get back to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanchez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sanchez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sanchez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez prevents Machado from improving his position.
Sanchez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Machado!
Machado is trying desperately to improve position.
Sanchez with shots to the head and body - Machado looks very uncomfortable down there.
Machado is looking to improve his position but Sanchez isn't that keen on the idea.
BOOM! Sanchez connects with a massive shot to the dome!
BOOM! Sanchez connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Sanchez fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Machado is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sanchez with the ground and pound from mount.
Sanchez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machado is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sanchez lands a big elbow.
Machado is looking to get to half guard.

Sanchez with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Sanchez unloading with bombs!
Sanchez avoids the attempt from Machado to control.
Machado really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Machado looks a forlorn figure.
Machado is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diago Sanchez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Machado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Machado throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Machado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Machado shoots in for a takedown but Sanchez shows good takedown defense.
Machado misses the jab.
Machado scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sanchez works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sanchez drops his hands momentarily and Machado takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Machado tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sanchez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sanchez scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Machado misses with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Machado lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sanchez doesn't seem phased though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanchez darts in and clinches Machado up against the cage.
Sanchez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sanchez prevents a body shot from Machado.
Sanchez manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Machado manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Machado is trying to break free.
Machado tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sanchez wants to stall.
Machado blocks an elbow strike.
A frustrated look appears on Machado's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sanchez creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Machado misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machado misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sanchez.
Sanchez prevents Machado from breaking the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sanchez as Machado tries to tie him up.
Machado misses with a hook from the clinch.
Machado tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sanchez throws an elbow but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sanchez.
Sanchez tries to break the clinch but Machado is controlling the position.
Sanchez misses with some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sanchez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Machado's brow.
Sanchez avoiding damage as Machado throws knees to the body.
Machado wants to break the clinch but can't.
Machado gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Machado swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sanchez prevents a body shot from Machado.
Machado wants to break the clinch but can't.
Machado putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sanchez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Machado missing with knees to the body.
Machado digs a right hand underneath Sanchez's ribcage. Sanchez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sanchez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Machado blocks the elbow strike.
Machado misses with some punches.
Manny Machado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diago Sanchez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Machado wants to get back to striking at distance but Sanchez won't allow it.
Machado leaning against his opponent.
Machado is trying to break the clinch but Sanchez is controlling him.
A short right from Sanchez.
Sanchez looking for a takedown.

Machado's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Machado will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado scores with a jab to the jaw.
Manny Machado seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Machado misses the jab.
Machado stuffs the takedown.
Manny Machado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diago Sanchez.
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!
Machado keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanchez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Machado pinned against the cage. Machado gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Machado throws an off balance right hand

so Sanchez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Machado is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sanchez is aware though and is defending well.
Machado looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanchez is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Machado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Machado showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sanchez 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diago Sanchez!
Diago Sanchez bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.