UFC 121 Play-by-Play: Diego Sanchez (23-4) vs. Paulo Thiago (13-2)

Tonight’s UFC 121 “Lesnar vs. Velasquez”  live blog is brought to you by Fighters Guard MMA Agents and Intimidation MMA Apparel.

1st round

The referee for this welterweight bout is Jason Herzog.

Sanchez lunges at Thiago but misses. Sanchez has his back against the octagon fence and is clipped with a kick to the body. Sanchez hits with a left but is clipped with a hard right by Thiago.

Thiago stuffs a takedown and then clinches with Sanchez. Thiago hits with a knee up the middle and then pushes Sanchez away.

Sanchez engages and hits with a low leg kick. Thiago catches Sanchez and dumps him on his back falling into side control. Thiago begins to ground and pound; Sanchez scrambles and gets temporarily caught in a d'arce choke.

Back on their feet, Sanchez scrambles out of the choke attempt and squares back off with Thiago. Sanchez hits with a body shot and follows with another overhand right. Sanchez clinches with Thiago and presses Thiago against the octagon fence.

Sanchez turns his attention to a takedown but cannot finish and instead is clipped with a couple of hard right hands by Thiago.  Thiago 10-9

2nd round

The middle round is underway and Sanchez misses with a one-two combination. Thiago races after Sanchez and clips him with a combination on the chin.

Sanchez survives and shoots in for a takedown, however Thiago defends. Sanchez falls on top of Thiago and begins to pound away on his body. Thiago is twisted as Sanchez pounds away.

Thiago scrambles out and gets to half guard where he controls Sanchez's right arm. Thiago is trying for a kimura but Sanchez gets his arm loose and passes guard.

Thiago receives a warning for hitting Sanchez in the back of the head.

Thiago goes for the kimura once again but Sanchez gets loose and stands up. Sanchez is flipped over but gets back to his feet and picks up Thaigo just to slam him on his back.

Thiago stays busy from his back and looks to tie up one of Sanchez's arms. Sanchez moves from side control and tries to take the back of Thiago. He forgets about a submission and attempts to pound away at Thiago's head.

Sanchez takes Thiago's back but falls off as the round ends.  Sanchez 10-9

3rd round

The crowd is roaring as the 3rd and final round begins.

Thiago lands a right hand but Sanchez smothers him and puts him on his back. Sanchez begins to pound away with his knees to Thiago's body. Thiago tries to move into full guard and catches Sanchez’ arm.

Sanchez defends and gets out of trouble. He moves and tries to take Thiago's back. He gets it and also gets an arm under Thiago's chin. Thiago scrambles but Sanchez stays on his back, now pounding away with strikes to the side of the body.

Sanchez turns Thiago over and continues to pound away on his body. Thiago remains flat on his back but quickly bucks out and gets loose. Sanchez runs forward and is hit with a perfectly timed upkick.

Sanchez remains alert and jumps into Thiago's guard. Thiago turns over after Sanchez hits him with several strikes. Thiago scrambles out and momentarily takes Sanchez's arm.

Sanchez gets his arm back and jumps back into Thiago’s guard where he works the body. Sanchez hammers away from full mount during the last ten seconds of the round.  Sanchez 10-9

OFFICIAL DECISION – Sanchez over Thiago via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)