Lots of promos right now–back when the action resumes. They’re doing the video promo for this fight now so we’ll be underway soon.

ROUND ONE:

Luigi Fioravanti wearing Italian flag mouthpiece….who’d have known he’s Italian? Fioravanti is also a former US Marine. Fighters stalking each other, neither committing yet. Diego misses with an uppercut, Luigi throws a leg kick that connects. Nice combination by Sanchez, with an uppercut connecting and doing some damage. He follows it up with a flying knee that partially connects. Sanchez has one of the best scowls in the sport. Luigi misses with a combination. Big kick by Sanchez hits, but he gets stuffed on a takedown attempt. Luigi misses with a combination again,but Diego responds with another impressive combo of his own. Knee against the fence by Diego. Luigi misses with a big uppercut. Diego gets stuffed on another takedown attempt. Big uppercut by Diego connects. Sanchez shoots again, Luigi sprawls away. Now Luigi gets Diego down at the end of the round. Sanchez’s round 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

Diego catches Luigi with a big right early in the round and sends him to the canvas. Diego jumps in to follow up and tries to gain a full mount. He looks like he’s trying to set up a kimura or an arm bar. He’s in half guard right up against the cage, he gives up the arm and then moves to full mount but Luigi manages to get back to his feet. Headkick by Diego partially connects and now he takes Luigi’s back. Luigi protecting his neck well and grabs an arm which causes Sanchez to scramble for safety. Nice combination by Sanchez sends Luigi down and he’s on his opponent like a pitbull on a porkchop. Sanchez goes for a kimura but Luigi manages to extricate himself. Sanchez doing a nice job cutting off the ring. Knee strike by Sanchez, he throws a wild combination that Luigi counters nicely. Luigi’s given a good account of himself but its Diego’s round again 10-9 giving him a 20-18 advantage on the SavSci scorecard.

ROUND THREE:

Pace slows somewhat at the beginning of the round but it won’t likely stay that way. Sanchez seems somewhat frustrated–he’s landed some good shots but Luigi is one tough dude. Uppercut by Diego partially connects. Sanchez tries for another takedown and Luigi defends it well again. Luigi is showing very impressive takedown defense but Diego’s improved striking is carrying the fight so far. Another takedown attempt, another stuff as Luigi’s takedown defense is stellar. Sanchez working a jab now, then following it with a right hook. Diego gets Luigi’s back but the former Marine rolls out. Luigi lands a nice combination with a minute left. HUGE head kick by Sanchez followed by a knee kick and Diego hops on with the ground and pound. A bunch of relentless punches land before the ref stops it with under a minute left.

DIEGO SANCHEZ WINS BY TKO

Diego’s striking has improved significantly–Luigi did a nice job defending his takedowns and ground fighting but simply fell victim to a superior striker. People forget how good Diego is–this win improves his record to 19-2 with the only losses to Josh Koschek (unanimous decision) and Jon Fitch (split decision).