PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Samin Ax (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ares Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ares Sanchez acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Ax
vs
Sanchez

176 cm
26
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

173 cm
21
146 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Samin Ax!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ares Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Steve Erwin and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ax lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sanchez circles away quickly and effectively.
Ax misses with a looping left.
No joy there for Ax, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jab, jab by Ax - just one landing.
Ax lands a two punch combo.
Ax throws a right hand that Sanchez ducks under and follows up with a left that Sanchez also avoids with ease.
Ax throws a solid leg kick but Sanchez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ax.
Ax misses with a few strikes there.

Sanchez dives in and scores a takedown into Ax's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sanchez tries to free his leg and advance position but Ax is retaining full guard.
Sanchez 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 is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Ax has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sanchez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sanchez 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanchez passes Ax's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ax actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez stops Ax from getting back to his feet.

Ax looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sanchez is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Ax is breathing heavily.
Sanchez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ax wants to control but Sanchez is having none of it.
Sanchez controlling the pace for now.
Sanchez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sanchez controlling the position easily from mount.
Sanchez tries to control but Ax wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ares Sanchez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ax misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sanchez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ax tries to avoid it but Sanchez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ax to the ground. Ax escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Sanchez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ax wants to get back to his feet.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but Ax defending well.
Sanchez is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sanchez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ax knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ax wants to improve his position but Sanchez is controlling well.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but Ax defending well.
Sanchez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ax won't allow Sanchez to pass to mount.
Ax tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sanchez wants to control but Ax is keeping him busy.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sanchez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ares Sanchez was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Sanchez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ax did well to prevent Sanchez getting side control.
Sanchez has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Sanchez lands a nice shot to the head.
Sanchez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ax is looking to escape.
Ax working to try and regain half guard.
Ax wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sanchez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ax really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez controlling the pace for now.
Ax wants to hold on but Sanchez pushes him away.
Ax is desperately trying to improve his position but Sanchez has a good base and remains in mount.
Sanchez looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sanchez thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sanchez misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanchez controlling from the full mount.
Sanchez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ax is looking to escape.
Ax can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ares Sanchez dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sanchez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ax to the mat! Ax manages to get full guard.

Ax working for a triangle but Sanchez defends it easily.
Sanchez trying to control but Ax is working from the bottom.

Ax is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sanchez pushing down on Ax's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sanchez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sanchez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ax!
Sanchez looking to control but Ax is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ax avoids a strike by Sanchez and manages to complete a very nice reversal in the process, to end up in Sanchez's guard! Fantastic escape!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez wants to sweep but no luck.
Sanchez controlling Ax's posture.
Sanchez wants to sweep here but Ax controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sanchez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ax!
Ax really wants to buck Sanchez off and get back to his feet.
Ares Sanchez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ax tries to reverse the position but Sanchez maintains control.
Ax bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Ax looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Sanchez pushes Ax off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ax shoots for a double leg takedown but Sanchez sprawls well. He's pushed Ax's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Sanchez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sanchez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ax is keeping the position for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanchez sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ax throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Sanchez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ax is keeping the position for now.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sanchez stands and throws Ax's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ax prevents Sanchez from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ax tries to improve position but can't.
Sanchez prevents Ax from escaping the position.
Ax is looking for a sweep.
A lull in the action here as Sanchez stalls from top position.
Sanchez tries to advance to mount but Ax denies him.
Sanchez takes a little break here. Ax wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Ax is pushing Sanchez's head away, looking to escape. Sanchez manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ax tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ax is trying to escape the position but Sanchez is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ax throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Sanchez tries to move into full mount but can't pass Ax's legs.
Sanchez taking a breather here.
Sanchez is looking to take a break and control but Ax is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ax is trying to buck Sanchez off.
Sanchez tries to advance to mount but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ares Sanchez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! 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.

A punch combination from Sanchez misses.

Sanchez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ax sprawls well initially but Sanchez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sanchez works his foot free and advances to mount.
Sanchez controlling from the full mount.
Ax is trying to stand.

Ax defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sanchez.
Sanchez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ax is looking to escape.
Ax is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ax sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez wants to free his trapped foot but Ax is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sanchez slows the pace down in half guard.
Sanchez trying to advance position but Ax counters by regaining guard.
Sanchez advances position into side control!
Sanchez wants to control but Ax is keeping him busy.
Sanchez throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Ax is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Sanchez asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sanchez happy to just control the position for now.
Sanchez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ax. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ax tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sanchez takes a little break here. Ax wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
You can see the frustration on Ax's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sanchez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ax keeps working.
Samin Ax has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez controls the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ares Sanchez hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Ax scores with a takedown into Sanchez's guard.
Sanchez keeping full guard, as Ax tries to pass.
Ax won't allow Sanchez to sweep him here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sanchez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sanchez pulls Ax in close to prevent any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sanchez is on top in guard.
Sanchez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ax's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez slows the pace down in half guard.
Ax trying to hold on to Sanchez's head to control him but Sanchez postures up.

Ax actively working from the bottom here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ax tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sanchez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ax!
Ax is working to get back to half guard.
Sanchez controlling from the full mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ax tries to reverse the position but Sanchez maintains control.
Ares Sanchez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sanchez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ares Sanchez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sanchez 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ares Sanchez!