PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Sanchez (ranked 2443 p4p, 2748 weight class) and Nils Norling (ranked 321 p4p, 352 weight class). Norling is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Scarlet - Age of seduction. Nils Norling is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Sanchez
vs
Norling

185 cm
29
180
14 - 14 - 0

185 cm
28
175
12 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Samuel Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nils Norling!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez catches Norling with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The fighters circling - Sanchez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sanchez tries to move into range but Norling moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A slow jab from Norling misses its intended target.
Norling misses with a straight right.
Sanchez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A punch lands to the side of Norling 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Norling misses with a left hand
and Norling takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Norling throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Norling tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanchez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Norling throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sanchez has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Norling throws a lazy right hand but Sanchez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sanchez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sanchez throws a shot from downtown. Norling moves away and avoids it.
Nils Norling seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Norling defending well as Sanchez loads up on a big left hand.
Norling looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
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!
Sanchez lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norling tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sanchez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sanchez comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A head kick misses from Sanchez.
Norling throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Nils Norling is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Norling clobbers Sanchez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sanchez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Norling takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Norling fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanchez manages to avoid it.
Norling has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Norling drives through and clinches with Sanchez against the cage.
Sanchez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sanchez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Norling backwards.
Norling lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Norling misses with some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from 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!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sanchez creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sanchez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Norling digs a right hand underneath Sanchez's ribcage. Sanchez let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norling tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sanchez scores with a shot to the side of Norling's head.
Sanchez lands an uppercut.
Norling pushes Sanchez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Norling lands with a left to the head.
Sanchez misses with the head strike.
Sanchez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Norling's elbow.
Norling blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sanchez.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sanchez.
Sanchez prevents a body shot from Norling.
Norling misses with the head strike.
Norling swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Norling working aggressively here.
Norling makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sanchez.
Norling throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Sanchez.
Norling lands a hook that snaps the head of Sanchez backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez just leaning against Norling, taking a breather.
Norling blocks an uppercut.
Norling misses with a hook to the ribs.
Norling lands a hook to the side of the head.
Norling tries to throw a body punch but Sanchez avoids it by throwing Norling back against the cage.
Norling misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sanchez lands with a light punch inside.
Sanchez tries to throw a body punch but Norling avoids it by throwing Sanchez back against the cage.
Sanchez lands a left hand that snaps the head of Norling backwards.
Norling misses with some punches.
Norling misses with some punches.
Sanchez throws a head punch that misses.
Norling swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Norling digs a right hand into Sanchez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sanchez's gas tank.
Sanchez prevents a body shot from Norling.
Sanchez swings wildly with an uppercut but Norling uses good head movement to avoid it.
Norling misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Norling being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Norling blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sanchez taking a breather.
Norling tries a body shot but Sanchez blocks it.
Norling goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sanchez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sanchez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Norling throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sanchezs head.
Norling throws a punch but it's blocked by Sanchez.
Norling throws a head punch that misses.
Norling blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Norling misses with some punches.
Good body shot from Norling.
Norling lands with a left to the head.
Sanchez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Samuel Sanchez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Norling lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Norling swings away with a body shot that misses
and Sanchez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Norling misses the shot to the body.
Norling uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sanchez.
Sanchez is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Norling with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sanchez to score with a decent uppercut.
Norling tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Norling looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Good standup being displayed there by Norling as he connects with a hook.
Norling throws a hook but Sanchez blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norling is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A counter left hand to the body from Sanchez misses its target.
Norling throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanchez lands an overhand right.
Norling pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A quick step to the side and Sanchez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norling throws a lazy right hand but Sanchez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sanchez defending well as Norling loads up on a big left hand.
Sanchez ducks under a wild hook from Norling.
Norling lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sanchez lands with a good body shot.
Norling throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sanchez swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Norling throws a hook but Sanchez blocks it.
Sanchez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Norling throws out the jab.
Sanchez swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sanchez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Norling connects with a jab.
Norling tries to move into range but Sanchez moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sanchez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sanchez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jab by Norling.
Sanchez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Norling at a distance.
Norling cracks Sanchez with an open hand slap.

Sanchez moves into range and clinches up with Norling.
Sanchez dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sanchez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Norling lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sanchez.
Still in the clinch, Norling scores with a nice short uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Norling goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sanchez has Norling pushed against the cage.
Sanchez blocks an uppercut.
Norling lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Norling lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sanchez or not.
Norling lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Norling lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Norling blocking some punches.
Sanchez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sanchez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Norlings head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sanchez.
Sanchez tries to work over Norling's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Norling misses with a short punch on the inside.
Norling lands with a light punch inside.
Norling tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sanchez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Norling up against the cage.
Sanchez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Norling lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sanchez backwards.
Sanchez blocks an uppercut.
Sanchez holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Sanchez pushes Norling back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sanchez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez lands with a left to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanchez working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice right hand lands inside from Norling.
Sanchez has a couple of punches blocked by Norling.
Sanchez misses with a body punch.
Sanchez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Norling backwards.
Norling misses with a body punch.
A hook to the body from Norling.
Norling digs a right hand underneath Sanchez's ribcage. Sanchez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sanchez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sanchez is trying to stall.
Norling goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Norling stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Norling can't find room to land a body shot as Sanchez controls the action.
Nils Norling seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Norling misses with a punch on the inside.
Norling lands an uppercut.
Sanchez working aggressively here.
Norling tries to work over Sanchez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nils Norling will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Norling misses with a left hand
and Sanchez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Norling fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Norling staying out of range there.

Norling clinches up against the cage.
Norling misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sanchez misses with a punch to the body.
Sanchez has a couple of punches blocked by Norling.
Norling blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sanchez is trying to maintain a safe position but Norling gets an underhook and turns Sanchez into the cage.
Sanchez scores with a shot to the side of Norling's head.
Sanchez working aggressively here.
Norling has a couple of punches blocked by Sanchez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norling doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Norling tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sanchez stalling in the clinch but Norling improves position.
Sanchez blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sanchez.
Norling blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norling prevents a body shot from Sanchez.
Norling goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sanchez lands a right hand that snaps the head of Norling backwards.
Sanchez throws a head punch that misses.
Sanchez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Norling presses Sanchez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Norling misses with a short punch on the inside.
Norling blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sanchez.
Norling working aggressively here.
Sanchez looking to stall.
Sanchez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Norling's elbow.
Norling misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sanchez has Norling pressed against the cage.
Norling misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sanchez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Norling throws a punch but it's blocked by Sanchez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with a body punch.
Sanchez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Norling misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short uppercut from Norling.
Norling fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Norling struggles to land a body shot inside as Sanchez controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Norling.
Norling tries to work over Sanchez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sanchez scores with a shot to the side of Norling's head.
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!
A right hand to the body from Norling.
A left hand lands to the body for Norling.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez gets through Norling's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sanchez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Norling struggles to land a body shot inside as Sanchez controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Norling fails to land.
Norling misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Sanchez fails to land.
Norling works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norling tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sanchez's elbow.
Norling lands with a right to the head.
Norling working aggressively here.
Norling gets through Sanchez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Norling misses with a short punch on the inside.
Norling struggles to land a body shot inside as Sanchez controls his hands.
Sanchez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Norling throws a punch but it's blocked by Sanchez.
A nice right hand lands inside from Norling.
Sanchez misses with the head strike.
Sanchez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Norling misses with a hook from the clinch.
Norling gets through Sanchez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sanchez stalling in the clinch but Norling improves position.
Norling blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Norling throws a punch but it's blocked by Sanchez.
Sanchez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sanchez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Norling stops a takedown attempt from Sanchez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Norling lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sanchez backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Norling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez prevents a body shot from Norling.
Sanchez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sanchez tries to throw a body punch but Norling avoids it by throwing Sanchez back against the cage.
Norling tries a body shot but Sanchez blocks it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sanchez blocks a body shot from Norling.
Sanchez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Norling tries to work over Sanchez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Norling scores with a shoulder strike.
Norling misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sanchez working aggressively here.
Norling throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sanchezs head.
Norling tries a body shot but Sanchez blocks it.
Norling misses with some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nils Norling comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Norling 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nils Norling!
Post fight, an emotional Nils Norling said 'I do see this fight as a start of my redemption story with my new management, hopegfully I will be back to my form from the beginning of my career'.