PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bob Stewart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Hickey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sean Hickey has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stewart
vs
Hickey

188 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
164 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bob Stewart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sean Hickey!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Dean Styles and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Hickey or perhaps it was just good defense by Stewart which made him look bad.
Hickey looks to throw the jab but Stewart is out of range.
Hickey tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stewart swivels and escapes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stewart looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stewart is looking to clinch but Hickey is avoiding it.
Stewart with a poor takedown

and Hickey counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Stewart not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hickey stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stewart swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stewart wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stewart looking for a sweep. Not yet Stewart, not yet.
Hickey throws a big right hand that misses.
Stewart looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hickey is one step ahead there.

Hickey drops back looking for a leg! Stewart is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stewart manages to kick Hickey off! Hickey jumps back into Stewart's guard.
Hickey working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Hickey as Stewart shoots in.
Hickey uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Stewart has time to react.
Stewart shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hickey as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Stewart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stewart tries to clinch up

and Hickey counters with a left hand that sends Stewart to the canvas!

Stewart is rocked!

It looks like Bob Stewart has been cut.
Stewart is breathing heavily.
Hickey working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hickey throws and elbow that misses. Stewart uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hickey's guard. Nice move by Stewart!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hickey working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stewart doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stewart manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Hickey working for a triangle but Stewart defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart connects with a couple of short punches.
Hickey has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stewart stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hickey swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hickey throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Hickey tries to strike from the bottom.
Stewart trying to control the position from guard on top but Hickey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stewart throws a sloppy head kick and Hickey moves out of range easily.
Hickey shoots in but no luck this time.

Stewart rushes Hickey and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hickey is trying to drag Stewart to the mat but Stewart just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart tries to score a body lock takedown but Hickey shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Stewart is struggling to control the position.
Stewart misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hickey.
Stewart wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hickey has him pressed against the cage.
Stewart looking for a takedown.
Stewart wants a takedown but no success here.

Hickey pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hickey fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Stewart.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stewart trying to control the position but Hickey is working away.
Stewart misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hickey tries to buck Stewart off but Stewart is having none of it.

Stewart decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Hickey has his takedown stuffed
letting Stewart counter with a right hand.
Stewart moves away from the strike by Hickey.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hickey paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stewart looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hickey is fending him off so far but Stewart persists. Nope, Hickey circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stewart tries to land a front kick but Hickey steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hickey, as that shot connected.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hickey.
Stewart is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Hickey dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bob Stewart's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stewart throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Stewart ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Stewart bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hickey throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Hickey wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Hickey is trying to escape the position but Stewart is controlling the position.
Hickey misses with an elbow from the bottom.

Stewart wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hickey, who protects the arm well.
Hickey gets back to half guard.
Stewart trying to pass the guard but Hickey defending well.
Stewart missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stewart wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hickey keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickey misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Stewart sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hickey defending well though.
Hickey manages to get to full guard.
Hickey trying to strike off his back.
Stewart throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hickey works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stewart misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stewart throws a body kick that misses.
Good exchange - Hickey coming out on top.
Stewart feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hickey's calf.
Stewart misses with a body punch

and Hickey counters with a takedown into side control.
Stewart is trying to control Hickey's posture but Hickey avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hickey connects with a decent elbow.
Stewart is looking to regain half guard here but Hickey keeps moving and retains side control.
Stewart struggling a bit here.

Hickey is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Stewart is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Stewart is trying to improve his position.
Hickey throws an elbow but Stewart slips to the side and avoids it well.
Stewart is looking for a sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stewart throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hickey's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickey catches Stewart with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hickey throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stewart clinches but Hickey breaks the clinch

and Hickey counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Stewart!
Stewart tries to hold on but Hickey pushes him away.
Stewart is bucking up trying to escape but Hickey cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Stewart is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hickey scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Sean Hickey has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stewart tries to lock up and control but Hickey gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hickey landing punches.

Hickey looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Stewart is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Hickey has hold of Stewart's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Stewart manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Stewart tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stewart sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Stewart keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stewart is looking to control Hickey's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stewart avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Hickey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bob Stewart's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're 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.

Stewart shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hickey tries to move into range but Stewart moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Stewart will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jab from Hickey.
Some wild striking there from Hickey.
Stewart dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Stewart connects with a solid leg kick.
Stewart slips under a jab from Hickey.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hickey.

Stewart closes the distance and pushes Hickey back into the cage.
Stewart drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hickey pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hickey swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart shoots in and drives through. Hickey sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Stewart. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good exchange - Hickey coming out on top.

Hickey darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Stewart looks like he's trying to stand up.
Stewart wants to get back to full guard.
Hickey throwing shots but Stewart is blocking nicely.
Stewart has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hickey is working away from the top position though.
Stewart tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hickey.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stewart manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stewart has Hickey pulled in close to control his posture.
Stewart not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stewart really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Stewart wants to sweep but no luck.

Stewart looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stewart is looking to stand up but Hickey isn't so interested in that idea.
Hickey working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stewart is trying to control the position but Hickey postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hickey.
Hickey looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Stewart tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hickey paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hickey keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hickey scores with a jab to the head.
Hickey misses the shot to the body.
Hickey throws out a loose jab but Stewart uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stewart is looking to clinch but Hickey is avoiding it.
Left hook, right uppercut from Stewart.
Hickey fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stewart tries to clinch up.

Hickey shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Stewart makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stewart.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hickey avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hickey with a flurry of punches that miss.
Stewart wants to sweep but no luck.
Bob Stewart has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Stewart looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Stewart working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hickey doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hickey manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Hickey avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hickey stopping the sweep attempt from Stewart.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Hickey comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hickey winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Hickey!