PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Diego Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johny Hendrics (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez comes to the cage accompanied by Not Afraid - Eminen. The key to victory for Diego Sanchez has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Sanchez
vs
Hendrics

167 cm
19
142 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Diego Sanchez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Johny Hendrics!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sanchez shoots in and bounces Hendrics off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hendrics is trying to control the position but Sanchez postures up.
Sanchez trying to control but Hendrics is working from the bottom.

Sanchez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sanchez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Hendrics keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendrics is controlling Sanchez's posture.
Hendrics is trying to keep Sanchez in close.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Sanchez darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sanchez in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is trying to control the action in half guard but Hendrics is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Sanchez wants to work for an arm triangle but Hendrics is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sanchez is keen to just control but Hendrics is a slippery customer.
Sanchez trying to mount his opponent but Hendrics defends it.
Hendrics is staying active underneath Sanchez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sanchez works his way into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendrics has given up his back. Will we see Sanchez going for some submissions?
A lull in the action here.

Sanchez working for a choke but Hendrics is defending well.
Hendrics trying to control the position but Sanchez manages to sink in the hooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Hendrics is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Sanchez gets his way!

Sanchez is persistently looking for the submission but Hendrics is defending it well.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sanchez patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sanchez.
Hendrics gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Sanchez avoids the attempt from Hendrics to control.

Sanchez jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Hendrics is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Hendrics and Sanchez has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendrics tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Sanchez easily slips into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendrics looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.

Sanchez goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Hendrics turns into him and now he's in Sanchez's guard.
Sanchez can't keep his opponent in guard - Hendrics advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendrics is thwarting Sanchez's attempts to control the position.
Sanchez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sanchez is refusing to be controlled, as Hendrics sits in half guard.
Sanchez is looking to improve his position.
Diego Sanchez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hendrics controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is refusing to be controlled, as Hendrics sits in half guard.
Sanchez trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Sanchez really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sanchez tries to lock up and control but Hendrics gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hendrics really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sanchez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hendrics controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sanchez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sanchez tries to hold on but Hendrics postures up.
Sanchez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Johny Hendrics will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sanchez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hendrics was covering up waiting for the punch and Sanchez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hendrics trying to keep a closed guard but Sanchez is proving a slippery customer.

Sanchez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sanchez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hendrics can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendrics managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendrics wants to sweep here but Sanchez controlling him for the moment.

Sanchez drops back looking for a leg! Hendrics is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hendrics manages to kick Sanchez off! Sanchez jumps back into Hendrics's guard.
Sanchez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sanchez trying to control but Hendrics is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sanchez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hendrics's guard.
Sanchez wants to control from the top but Hendrics keeps moving.
Hendrics seems keen to control Sanchez's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendrics keeping full guard, as Sanchez tries to pass.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendrics is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hendrics looking to control.
Sanchez wants to stand but Hendrics is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Sanchez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hendrics tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sanchez is in Hendrics's guard.
Sanchez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sanchez trying to control but Hendrics is working from the bottom.
Sanchez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hendrics's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hendrics desperately trying to maintain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sanchez drives through with a takedown into Hendrics's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hendrics pulls Sanchez in close to prevent any damage.
Sanchez wants to get up but he can't break Hendrics's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanchez trying to control but Hendrics is working from the bottom.

Sanchez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hendrics is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hendrics has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hendrics controls the pace.
Sanchez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hendrics passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hendrics is thwarting Sanchez's attempts to control the position.
Hendrics controlling the pace.
Sanchez is trying to get back to full guard.

Sanchez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hendrics pulls his head out easily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Sanchez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hendrics struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hendrics knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hendrics struggling a bit here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sanchez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Sanchez had his way with Johny Hendrics in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sanchez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hendrics manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sanchez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hendrics swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hendrics wants to stand and escape but Sanchez is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sanchez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sanchez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hendrics pulls Sanchez in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to pass the guard but Hendrics is keeping the position.
Hendrics keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.
Hendrics has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Sanchez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hendrics tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sanchez is in Hendrics's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendrics is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sanchez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hendrics is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hendrics has escaped and now he's on top!

Sanchez wants to sweep here but Hendrics controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendrics controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hendrics passes into half guard.
Hendrics is taking a breather. Sanchez says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four 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 gets back to full guard.

Hendrics avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sanchez looking to control.
Johny Hendrics has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diego Sanchez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hendrics wants to pass the guard but Sanchez is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Sanchez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sanchez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 50:44
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 50:43
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Sanchez!
Diego Sanchez retains his super heavyweight title!
A victorious Diego Sanchez thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.