PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Artem Zarencev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philipp Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Artem Zarencev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zarencev
vs
Sanders

170 cm
28
205 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

180 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Artem Zarencev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Philipp Sanders!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zarencev checks a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zarencev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sanders.
Sanders swinging wildly here.

Sanders gets caught napping as Zarencev dives in and scores a takedown. Sanders manages to retain guard.
Zarencev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sanders's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanders is looking to stand up but Zarencev isn't so interested in that idea.
Sanders is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Zarencev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Zarencev stands and steps away. Sanders gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Some wild striking there from Sanders.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zarencev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zarencev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders looks to land a combination but Zarencev avoids it well.
Zarencev dodges the punch combination from Sanders.
Zarencev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sanders circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sanders throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sanders turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sanders feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zarencev's calf.
Sanders misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sanders moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zarencev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Zarencev or perhaps it was just good defense by Sanders which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Zarencev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanders connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sanders rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zarencev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Zarencev has closed the distance and engaged Sanders in a clinch.
Sanders stalling the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zarencev landing knees to the body.
Sanders looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sanders pushes Zarencev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Sanders displaying some good clinch control by pressing Zarencev up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Zarencev.

Zarencev manages to pull guard.
Zarencev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sanders is one step ahead there.
Sanders is looking to stand up but Zarencev won't let him.

Zarencev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sanders defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders wants to get up but he can't break Zarencev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Sanders got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zarencev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sanders has managed to get both his arms back between Zarencev's legs - danger averted.
Sanders takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Sanders tries to stand but Zarencev is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanders must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zarencev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sanders manages to get himself to full guard.
Zarencev content to stall in guard here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Zarencev stands up from Sanders's guard - Zarencev perhaps looking for a knockout.
Zarencev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sanders but Sanders pushes him off and we're back to square one.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zarencev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sanders but Sanders pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Zarencev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zarencev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sanders manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zarencev dives in and grabs Sanders's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sanders pushes down on Zarencev's head and hops out.
Sanders moves out of range of the body kick.
Sanders misses with a two punch combination.
Artem Zarencev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zarencev wants to clinch up but Sanders keeps it at a distance.
Sanders throws a series of punches but Zarencev avoids them all with ease.
Sanders slips a jab and a cross from Zarencev.
Zarencev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sanders.

Zarencev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sanders on his heels. He'll look to pass Sanders's guard now, I'm sure.
Zarencev landing some decent shots from guard.

Zarencev stands and steps away. Sanders gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Sanders lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zarencev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sanders.
Sanders misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarencev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sanders stalks Zarencev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zarencev's face. Zarencev staggers backwards, shaken.
Zarencev takes one to the side of the head.
Zarencev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sanders avoids it really well and circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sanders scores with a leg kick.
Sanders stalks Zarencev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zarencev's face. Zarencev staggers backwards, shaken.
Zarencev tries to clinch but Sanders moves out of range.
Sanders leaves Zarencev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Zarencev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Sanders misses.
Sanders throws a leg kick which misses Zarencev's front leg but catches the back leg as Zarencev tries to avoid it.
Sanders lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanders throws a series of punches but Zarencev avoids them all with ease.
Sanders misses with a few strikes there.
Sanders works the jab nicely.

Zarencev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sanders!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zarencev content just to control the position here.

Sanders bucks up and throws Zarencev to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Zarencev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sanders sprawls well. Sanders wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zarencev gets slowly back to his feet.
Zarencev shoots in looking for a takedown. Sanders tries to sprawl out of it but Zarencev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sanders manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sanders throws a right and a left that Zarencev avoids nicely.
Philipp Sanders seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarencev slips a jab and a cross from Sanders.
A left and a right from Sanders both land. Nice combination.
Philipp Sanders is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanders scores with a leg kick.
Sanders lands a jab-cross combination.
Nice sprawl there from Sanders as Zarencev shoots in.
A punch combination from Sanders misses.
A good leg kick by Sanders.
Zarencev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanders swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sanders looks to land a combination but Zarencev avoids it well.
Sanders lands with an overhand left.
Some wild striking there from Sanders.
A right-left combo lands from Sanders.
Sanders misses with a double jab.

Zarencev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sanders napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sanders throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Sanders lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zarencev backs up against the cage.

Zarencev scores a takedown into full mount!
Zarencev won't let Sanders get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Zarencev breaks from Sanders's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Zarencev unloading with bombs!
Artem Zarencev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zarencev with good strikes from the mount here!
Sanders really wants to buck Zarencev off and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Philipp Sanders will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Zarencev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Zarencev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zarencev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sanders lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Zarencev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zarencev stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Zarencev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Zarencev clinches up with Sanders and pushes him back against the cage.

Sanders pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Zarencev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sanders wants to get back to his feet.
Zarencev takes a little break here. Sanders wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Zarencev stands up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Zarencev or perhaps it was just good defense by Sanders which made him look bad.
Sanders lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zarencev's sensitive parts.
Sanders misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sanders moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sanders lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Zarencev tries to clinch up.
Zarencev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sanders tries to avoid it but Zarencev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sanders to the ground. Sanders escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sanders is looking to slow Zarencev down with leg kicks.
Zarencev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sanders.
Sanders pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Zarencev back to the cage. Sanders follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Zarencev has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Zarencev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sanders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Sanders - just one landing.
Sanders misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sanders lands a nice looking body kick.
A nice combination there by Sanders.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanders fails to land with a series of punches.
Sanders uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zarencev has time to react.
Sanders with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zarencev fails with the takedown.
Zarencev wants to clinch but Sanders slips to the side
letting Sanders counter with a right hand.
Zarencev slips a jab and a cross from Sanders.
Sanders cracks the inside of Zarencev's front leg.
Zarencev tries to close the distance and clinch but Sanders swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sanders.
Sanders scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Zarencev shoots for a double leg takedown but Sanders sprawls well. He's pushed Zarencev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sanders scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Zarencev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sanders looks to land a combination but Zarencev avoids it well.
Zarencev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sanders but Sanders pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sanders lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sanders scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Zarencev fails with a takedown attempt.
Sanders throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Sanders misses.
Sanders throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Zarencev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sanders is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarencev controls the position.
Zarencev in side control lands a decent elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanders is trying to get back to his feet.
Zarencev lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Zarencev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Sanders is trying to get back to his feet.
A lull in the action here as Zarencev stalls from top position.
Sanders is trying to buck Zarencev off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zarencev cracks Sanders with a big right hand but Sanders just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Philipp Sanders.
I think Sanders 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Philipp Sanders!