PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Massey (ranked 24945 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alvaro Sanz (ranked 25346 p4p, 0 weight class). Ezekiel Massey is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Massey
vs
Sanz

195 cm
24
193 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
175 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ezekiel Massey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alvaro Sanz!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Sanz or perhaps it was just good defense by Massey, which made it look bad.
Massey is looking to counter with head kicks.
Sanz looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Horrible takedown attempt by Sanz or perhaps it was just good defense by Massey, which made it look bad.
Massey shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sanz defends it nicely.
Massey closes the distance and clinches up with Sanz, looking for a takedown. Massey pushes Sanz against the cage but Sanz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sanz tries to bum rush Massey with a series of wild strikes but Massey uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Massey is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Massey closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sanz circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Massey. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sanz gets caught flat footed, as Massey shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Sanz 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.
Massey has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sanz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Massey doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Massey manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Massey trying to control but Sanz is working from the bottom.
Massey throwing strikes but missing.
Massey throws a big right hand that misses.
Massey postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Massey trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Massey darts in looking for a takedown but Sanz gets double underhooks and turns Massey into the cage.

Massey closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Massey breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Massey shoots in for a takedown but Sanz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Massey shoots for a double leg takedown but Sanz sprawls well. He's pushed Massey's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Massey darts in looking for a takedown but Sanz gets double underhooks and turns Massey into the cage.

Sanz moves into the clinch.
Come on Massey - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Sanz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Massey is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Massey gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Sanz manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Massey keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Sanz gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Massey.
Massey tries to pull guard but Sanz holds him up against the cage and eventually Massey drops back down to his feet.
Massey prevents the takedown attempt.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Massey displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sanz.

Massey throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sanz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Massey is in Sanz's guard.
Massey is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Massey stops Sanz from standing up.
We've been informed that Sanz has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Massey wants to control from the top but Sanz keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
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 Ezekiel Massey will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sanz stuffs the takedown.
Sanz throws a counter combo.
Sanz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sanz wants it to stay on the feet.
Sanz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Massey counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Massey misses with a takedown attempt - Sanz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Massey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Massey.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sanz clinches up against the cage.
Sanz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Massey pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sanz is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sanz wants it to stay on the feet.

Massey shoots in and bounces Sanz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Massey looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Massey preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Massey.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Massey landing some decent shots from guard.
Sanz wants to sweep here but Massey controlling him for the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Massey is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sanz shoots and misses
and Massey counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Massey moves into the clinch.
Massey avoiding damage.

Massey manages to pull guard.
Massey looking to control.
Massey is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sanz is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Massey scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nice strikes from Massey there.
Massey seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sanz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanz is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanz taking some punishment here, with Massey in his half guard.
Massey not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sanz is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Massey scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sanz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Massey.
Massey blocks the strikes from Sanz.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Massey prevents Sanz from improving his position.
Sanz trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ezekiel Massey dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Massey dives in for a single leg takedown but Sanz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Sanz moves into the clinch.
Massey is leaning against Sanz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Massey breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Massey fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sanz to the ground. Massey is now in Sanz's guard.
Sanz wants to get back to his feet but Massey is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Massey throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Massey lands a couple of elbows.
Massey in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Massey with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Massey throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sanz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Massey stopping the sweep attempt from Sanz.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Massey fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sanz now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Massey throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sanz's waist but Sanz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Massey off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Massey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Massey counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sanz thinking.
Massey shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Massey fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Massey avoids the head kick by Sanz.
Massey shoots for a takedown but Sanz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A head kick misses from Sanz.
Massey looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sanz is fending him off so far but Massey persists. Nope, Sanz circles away and we're back to standing.
Alvaro Sanz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Massey doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sanz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Sanz moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Massey tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Massey tries to pull guard but Sanz holds him up against the cage and eventually Massey drops back down to his feet.
Sanz looking to throw knees to the head but Massey is blocking nicely.
Sanz wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Massey manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Sanz is looking to stand up but Massey won't let him.
Sanz trying to control the position from guard on top but Massey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Massey trying to keep a closed guard but Sanz is proving a slippery customer.
Sanz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Massey wants to sweep here but Sanz controlling him for the moment.
Massey trying to strike off his back.
Massey throws a couple of heel strikes.
Sanz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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

Sanz throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sanz has managed to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alvaro Sanz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Massey 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alvaro Sanz!