PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sanji Sanpun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tico Ponce De Leon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanpun comes into the arena with Snacktime - Barenaked Ladies blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Ponce De Leon's choice of entrance music: Los Lobos - Canción Del Mariachi. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sanpun
vs
Ponce De Leon

178 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

171 cm
26
149 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sanji Sanpun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tico Ponce De Leon!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ponce De Leon checks a leg kick.
Sanpun swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ponce De Leon counters with a low kick, right behind Sanpun 's knee.
Sanpun throws a hook but Ponce De Leon blocks it.
Sanpun fails to land with a series of punches.
Sanpun defending well as Ponce De Leon loads up on a big left hand.
Ponce De Leon misses with a low kick.
Ponce De Leon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ponce De Leon.
Ponce De Leon misses with a head kick.
Ponce De Leon keeps the fight on the outside.
Ponce De Leon takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Ponce De Leon has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ponce De Leon. That's going to slow Sanpun down.
Sanpun has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Ponce De Leon.
Sanpun misses with a series of wild punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ponce De Leon.

Sanpun fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ponce De Leon, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanpun missing with knees to the body.
Ponce De Leon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Ponce De Leon breaks from the clinch.
Sanpun lands with a cross.
Sanpun on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ponce De Leon. Ponce De Leon obviously looking to wear him down.
Ponce De Leon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sanpun tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ponce De Leon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sanpun swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sanpun looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sanpun blocks a head kick by Ponce De Leon.
Ponce De Leon misses with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Ponce De Leon.
Sanpun tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ponce De Leon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ponce De Leon ducks under a wild hook from Sanpun.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun wants to clinch but Ponce De Leon slips to the side
and Ponce De Leon counters with a low kick, right behind Sanpun 's knee.
Ponce De Leon misses with a head kick.
Ponce De Leon avoids a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Ponce De Leon.
Ponce De Leon connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanpun misses with a low kick.
Sanpun throws a body kick that misses
and Sanpun takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ponce De Leon throws a right hand that misses
and Sanpun counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ponce De Leon thinking.
Ponce De Leon lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ponce De Leon. Sanpun shrugs it off though.
Ponce De Leon lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sanpun's sensitive parts.
Ponce De Leon lands a jab to the head.
Ponce De Leon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ponce De Leon throws a head kick but Sanpun moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun throws a series of punches but Ponce De Leon avoids them all with ease.
Ponce De Leon moves in looking to clinch but Sanpun pushes him off.
Ponce De Leon has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sanpun.
Sanpun lands a leg kick that knocks Ponce De Leon off balance momentarily.
Sanpun feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ponce De Leons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ponce De Leon throws a head kick but Sanpun moves out of range.
Ponce De Leon throws a leg kick but Sanpun sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ponce De Leon connects with a high kick.
Ponce De Leon scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ponce De Leon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanpun.
Sanpun throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ponce De Leon throws a sloppy head kick and Sanpun moves out of range easily.
Ponce De Leon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanpun tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ponce De Leon was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanpun.
Sanpun is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanpun has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sanpun crunches a lovely knee into Ponce De Leon's ribcage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Still in the clinch, Sanpun scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sanpun lands an elbow that stopped Ponce De Leon in his tracks for a moment.
Ponce De Leon lands a nice elbow.
Sanpun scores a nice knee to the body.
Ponce De Leon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sanpun backwards.

Ponce De Leon breaks the clinch.
Sanpun thows a body kick. Ponce De Leon tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Ponce De Leon looks for the body kick but Sanpun saw that one coming.

Sanpun darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sanpun working Ponce De Leon over with strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanpun not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tico Ponce De Leon will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sanpun dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ponce De Leon. That did some damage!
Ponce De Leon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sanpun at a distance.
Ponce De Leon throws a head kick but Sanpun moves out of range.
Sanpun looks for the body kick but Ponce De Leon saw that one coming.
Sanpun throws a nice head kick!
Good standup being displayed there by Sanpun as he connects with a hook.
Sanpun misses the shot to the body.
Sanpun throws a low kick but Ponce De Leon avoids it.

Sanpun feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanpun postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Sanpun postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ponce De Leon is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sanpun, into his guard.
Ponce De Leon is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponce De Leon wants to pass the guard but Sanpun is keeping the position.
Sanpun is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sanpun looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ponce De Leon is one step ahead there.
Ponce De Leon 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.
Sanpun keeping moving, preventing Ponce De Leon from controlling successfully.

Tico Ponce De Leon has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sanpun misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ponce De Leon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sanpun somewhat.

Sanpun has managed to clinch.
Sanpun tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ponce De Leon avoids it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sanpun.
Ponce De Leon lands a nice shot to the body.
Sanpun tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Sanpun has picked Ponce De Leon up - he's going for a ride! Sanpun dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ponce De Leon moves into full guard.
Sanpun wants to control from the top but Ponce De Leon keeps moving.

Ponce De Leon isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Sanpun stacks Ponce De Leon on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Sanpun!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun in side control lands a decent elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ponce De Leon tries to buck Sanpun off but Sanpun is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Ponce De Leon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sanpun creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ponce De Leon sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Sanpun tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sanpun has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanpun misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun taking a breather here.
Ponce De Leon tries to improve position but can't.
Ponce De Leon parries the strikes from Sanpun easily there. Sanpun is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ponce De Leon to escape.
Sanpun is looking to take a break and control but Ponce De Leon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sanpun throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Ponce De Leon works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ponce De Leon keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sanji Sanpun dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ponce De Leon throws a sloppy head kick and Sanpun moves out of range easily.

Sanpun rushes Ponce De Leon and presses him up against the cage.
Sanpun with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sanpun using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ponce De Leon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sanpun misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ponce De Leon.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ponce De Leon.
Sanpun lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ponce De Leon backwards.
Sanpun tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ponce De Leon's elbow.
Ponce De Leon misses with a punch on the inside.
Ponce De Leon comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Sanji Sanpun has been cut.
Ponce De Leon lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ponce De Leon is trying to break the clinch but Sanpun has him pressed against the cage.
Ponce De Leon scores with a shoulder strike.

Sanpun has clasped his hands together around Ponce De Leon's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ponce De Leon is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanpun trying to control the action but Ponce De Leon is working from the bottom.

Sanpun tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sloppy strikes there by Sanpun.
Sanpun is looking to take a break and control but Ponce De Leon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ponce De Leon manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun is staying active underneath Ponce De Leon, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Ponce De Leon escapes and gets back to his feet.
Ponce De Leon darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sanpun shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ponce De Leon defends it nicely.
Tico Ponce De Leon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ponce De Leon stuns Sanpun with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sanpun avoids a kick to the body.
Sanpun swings for the body but Ponce De Leon moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sanpun.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ponce De Leon.
A low kick from Sanpun misses
and Ponce De Leon makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ponce De Leon lands a leg kick that knocks Sanpun off balance momentarily.

Sanpun takes the fight into the clinch.
Sanpun blocks a body shot from Ponce De Leon.
Sanpun wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sanpun scores with a nice hook to the head.

Ponce De Leon breaks from the clinch.
Sanji Sanpun is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ponce De Leon takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tico Ponce De Leon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ponce De Leon connects with a leg kick. Sanpun looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sanpun looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ponce De Leon scoring well with a low kick there.
Ponce De Leon throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ponce De Leon swings for the body but Sanpun moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun tries to clinch but Ponce De Leon moves out of range.
Sanpun avoids the head kick by Ponce De Leon.
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!

Sanpun clinches with his opponent.
Ponce De Leon pushes off an throws an elbow but Sanpun leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Sanpun breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sanpun throws a leg kick but Ponce De Leon sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sanpun closes the distance and clinches up with Ponce De Leon, looking for a takedown. Sanpun pushes Ponce De Leon against the cage but Ponce De Leon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sanji Sanpun. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanpun takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sanpun 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.
A thudding body kick lands there by Sanpun!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanpun misses with a body shot.
Ponce De Leon throws a wild body kick that Sanpun sees coming a mile off.
Ponce De Leon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ponce De Leon throws a sloppy head kick and Sanpun moves out of range easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tico Ponce De Leon.
I think Ponce De Leon 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tico Ponce De Leon!
Tico Ponce De Leon tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.