PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Diego Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riel Dan Reyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Reyes's choice of entrance music: Bad House Music ('98 Dub Mix). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sanchez
vs
Dan Reyes

188 cm
33
158 lbs
34 - 16 - 2

180 cm
34
156 lbs
31 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent

Valhalla Fight Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Diego Sanchez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Riel Dan Reyes!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reyes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanchez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sanchez throws a hook but Reyes avoids it easily.
Reyes misses with a hook.
Sanchez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sanchez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Sanchez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Reyes throws a big shot that misses.
Sanchez half committed to a counter leg kick.
Sanchez scores with a jab to the head.
Reyes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sanchez.
Reyes with the counter takedown but Sanchez avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reyes shoots in but no luck this time.
A little feinted left hand from Sanchez on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Reyes misses the jab.
Sanchez looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sanchez looks to score with a jab to the body but Reyes is just out of range.
Sanchez looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sanchez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Reyes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanchez lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sanchez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Reyes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanchez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Reyes throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Reyes. That did some damage!
Sanchez throws a front kick that sends Reyes stumbling back into the cage.
Sanchez throws a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Reyes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As Reyes backs away, Sanchez returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Diego Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reyes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Reyes misses with an uppercut. Sanchez saw that one coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reyes misses with a lunging right hand
and Sanchez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Riel Dan Reyes has been cut.
Sanchez misses with a looping right.
Sanchez throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sanchez misses with a low kick.
Reyes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reyes checks the leg kick nicely there.
Reyes with the counter takedown but Sanchez avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reyes is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Reyes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Reyes lands a jab.
Reyes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanchez.
Sanchez lands a jab to the head.
Sanchez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Reyes.
Sanchez missing with a left hand there. Reyes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Reyes ducks under a wild hook from Sanchez.
Sanchez getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Reyes misses
and Sanchez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sanchez misses with an uppercut
and Reyes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Reyes manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sanchez on his heels. He'll look to pass Sanchez's guard now, I'm sure.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Reyes is looking to work some ground and pound but Sanchez has wrist control.
Reyes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sanchez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Reyes works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Reyes scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Reyes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sanchez's head.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Riel Dan Reyes's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Reyes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sanchez as he avoids it easily.
Reyes takes one to the side of the head.
Reyes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanchez uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Reyes misses with a body shot.
Reyes 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 has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sanchez there as he acknowledges the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sanchez fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Reyes.
Sanchez throws a jab but it's blocked by Reyes.
Reyes feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Reyes misses the target.
Reyes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanchez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Reyes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reyes swings for the body but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez throws a right hand that Reyes ducks under and follows up with a left that Reyes also avoids with ease.
Sanchez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sanchez misses with a double jab

and Reyes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sanchez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with the head strike.
Reyes blocks a body shot from Sanchez.
Reyes tries to throw a body punch but Sanchez avoids it by throwing Reyes back against the cage.
Sanchez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sanchez lands a body punch in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Sanchez.
Sanchez digs a right hand underneath Reyes's ribcage. Reyes let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A nice right hand lands inside from Reyes.
Reyes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sanchez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Reyes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Diego Sanchez is winning the standup battle so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanchez.
A counter left hand to the body from Sanchez misses its target.
Reyes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Reyes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Reyes missing with a left hand there. Sanchez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sanchez was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Reyes looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
Sanchez half committed to a counter leg kick.
Reyes ducks under a wild hook from Sanchez.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Reyes! But no joy.
Reyes slips a jab from Sanchez.
Reyes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sanchez.
Reyes wants to counter the offense by Sanchez and move into the clinch position.
Reyes staying out of range there.
Reyes feints the counter takedown.
Sanchez fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes scores with a hook.
Reyes throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sanchez, right into the meat.
Sanchez looks to land a left hand but Reyes moved out of range nicely.
Sanchez throws a good cross that connects.
Sanchez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanchez throws a hook but Reyes blocks it.
Reyes misses with a body shot
and Sanchez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanchez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Riel Dan Reyes'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.

Reyes throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sanchez counters with a nice uppercut.
Sanchez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sanchez throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanchez missing with a left hand there. Reyes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Reyes wants to counter with a clinch but Sanchez pushes him away.
A swing and a miss from Sanchez.
A big left from Sanchez misses.
Sanchez lands a jab to the nose.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reyes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reyes misses the shot to the body.
Sanchez connects with a right hand. Reyes shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sanchez misses with a hook.
Reyes throws out a counter right but Sanchez avoids it with no problem.
Sanchez fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Reyes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Reyes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sanchez cracks Reyes with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Reyes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Sanchez misses.
Reyes now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sanchez connects with an inside leg kick.
Reyes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanchez.
Reyes moves away from the strike by Sanchez.
Sanchez fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Reyes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nice defenses there by Reyes.
Sanchez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reyes throws a hook but Sanchez blocks it.
Sanchez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez walks into a jab.
Reyes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sanchez loads up on a big right hand but Reyes slips the punch.
Sanchez throws a leg kick which misses Reyes's front leg but catches the back leg as Reyes tries to avoid it.
Reyes's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sanchez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Diego Sanchez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Reyes just misses with a punch to the body.
Reyes looks to land a right hand but Sanchez moved out of range.
Sanchez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Reyes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sanchez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Reyes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes misses with a double jab
and Sanchez counters with a three punch combo that has Reyes backing up. Reyes nods at Sanchez to acknowledge the strikes.
Sanchez throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reyes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
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!
Reyes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanchez swivels and escapes.
Reyes walks into a left hand.
Reyes lands with a shot to the body.
Reyes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sanchez. Sanchez obviously looking to wear him down.
An inside leg kick lands from Sanchez.
Sanchez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Reyes was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanchez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Riel Dan Reyes's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Reyes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Reyes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanchez manages to avoid it.
Sanchez throws a low kick but Reyes avoids it.
Reyes steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Sanchez.
Reyes misses the shot to the body.
Jab by Sanchez.
Sanchez scores with a punch to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reyes closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sanchez did well to prevent Reyes getting side control.
Sanchez trying to control but Reyes postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reyes trying to control the action but Sanchez is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Reyes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sanchez keeps working.
Sanchez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Reyes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Reyes connects with a nice short shot to Sanchez's temple.
Sanchez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Reyes.
Reyes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sanchez won't allow Reyes to pass to mount.
Reyes trying to control the action but Sanchez is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sanchez walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Reyes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Sanchez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Reyes was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanchez.
Reyes jabs at Sanchez's body.
Reyes misses with a takedown attempt
and Sanchez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sanchez misses with a body shot.
Reyes slips a straight right by Sanchez.
Sanchez walks into a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez throws a looping overhand right but Reyes ducks down to avoid it.
Sanchez fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Reyes checks it well.
Reyes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reyes has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sanchez misses with an uppercut.
Reyes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sanchez.
Reyes fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sanchez on the side of the head.
Sanchez cracks Reyes with a good jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sanchez, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The fighters circling - Reyes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sanchez throws a leg kick but Reyes sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sanchez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Reyes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Reyes tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Reyes slips a jab from Sanchez.
Reyes looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Reyes punishes Sanchez's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanchez tests Reyes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Diego Sanchez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Riel Dan Reyes'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. This is the final round!

Sanchez connects with a jab.
Reyes shoots in and drives through. Sanchez sprawls well.
A slow jab from Sanchez misses its intended target.
Sanchez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A shot to the liver by Reyes. Beautiful body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez moves out of range of the strikes.
The fighters circling - Sanchez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sanchez missing with a left hand there. Reyes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Reyes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sanchez.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sanchez.
Reyes drops his hands momentarily and Sanchez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Reyes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sanchez throws a big counter combination but Reyes scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Reyes takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Reyes checks the leg kick.
Reyes throws a right hand that misses
and Sanchez counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Sanchez tried to score with a low kick but Reyes checks it.
Riel Dan Reyes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez avoids the body shot from Reyes.
Jab by Reyes.
Sanchez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Reyes jabs Sanchez right on the nose. Sanchez blinks but takes it well.
Sanchez tests Reyes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Reyes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Reyes lands in his opponent's guard.
Reyes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Diego Sanchez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Reyes working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanchez, not yet.
Reyes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Reyes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sanchez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Reyes throws a big elbow that misses.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Reyes throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sanchez scores with a sloppy right hand. Reyes should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Reyes needs to keep his hands up - Sanchez had a free shot at his head there.
Reyes slips under a jab.
Reyes throws out a loose jab but Sanchez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sanchez feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Reyess jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Some wild striking there from Sanchez.
Reyes let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Sanchez 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Reyes just misses with a punch to the body.
Reyes throws the left hand but Sanchez avoids the punch easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Sanchez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanchez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Sanchez!
Diego Sanchez is the new lightweight champion!
Diego Sanchez thanked the fans post fight for their support.