PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robbie Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robbie Sanchez will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Saunders
vs
Sanchez

200 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ben Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Robbie Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saunders throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sanchez's waist but Sanchez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Saunders off to one side.
Sanchez looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Sanchez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Saunders drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Saunders happy to just control the position for now.

Saunders goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Sanchez rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Saunders's guard! Nice work there by Sanchez!

Saunders is looking for a triangle but Sanchez pushes his legs off easily.
Saunders bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sanchez's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Saunders from controlling successfully.

Saunders drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Saunders jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders postures up in Sanchez's guard and throws a big left but Sanchez blocks it.
Saunders tries to free his leg and advance position but Sanchez is retaining full guard.
Saunders wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Saunders postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Saunders really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saunders passes Sanchez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Saunders is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sanchez is just riding it out for now. Saunders eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saunders not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saunders wants to work for an arm triangle but Sanchez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Saunders is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sanchez is just riding it out for now. Saunders eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saunders is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Saunders wants to take a breather but Sanchez is having none of it.

Saunders is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sanchez defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saunders looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Saunders looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Saunders dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Saunders fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Saunders has his takedown stuffed
letting Sanchez counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Saunders fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sanchez sprawls well initially but Saunders persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Saunders throwing shots but Sanchez is blocking nicely.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saunders is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sanchez sees it coming and defends easily.
Sanchez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saunders.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saunders moves into full mount! Sanchez won't be happy about that!

Saunders has hold of Sanchez's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sanchez manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Saunders working for a submission but Sanchez is keeping him at bay.
Ben Saunders overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Saunders 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Saunders controlling the pace for now.
Sanchez avoids a series of strikes thrown by Saunders.

Saunders looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
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!

Saunders throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Sanchez has his hands clasped together but Saunders breaks the hold and Sanchez is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Saunders!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ben Saunders!