PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Houston Sickaruba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Forman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sickaruba
vs
Forman

194 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

207 cm
19
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Houston Sickaruba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rick Forman!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Steve Erwin and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Forman fails with a takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Forman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sickaruba is trying to stand.
Forman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Forman wants to stand up but Sickaruba has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Forman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Forman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Forman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sickaruba's head.
Sickaruba is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Forman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sickaruba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sickaruba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sickaruba tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Forman chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Forman gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sickaruba counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sickaruba blocks the strikes from Forman.

Sickaruba is looking for a kimura here.
Forman works his way to full guard. Good work.
Forman wants to sweep but no luck.
Sickaruba could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Forman throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Forman wants to stand and escape but Sickaruba is having none of it.

Sickaruba drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sickaruba jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sickaruba stops Forman from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sickaruba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Forman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Forman throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Forman is looking to clinch.
Sickaruba dodges the punch combination from Forman.
Forman tries to clinch but Sickaruba moves out of range.
Forman shoots in for a takedown but Sickaruba shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Houston Sickaruba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Forman.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sickaruba.
Forman is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sickaruba sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sickaruba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sickaruba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Forman's waist but Forman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sickaruba off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Forman.
Sickaruba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Forman is fending him off so far but Sickaruba persists. Nope, Forman circles away and we're back to standing.
Sickaruba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Forman but Forman pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Forman scores with a three punch combo!
Forman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Forman lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Forman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sickaruba to the mat! Sickaruba manages to get full guard.
Forman trying to control but Sickaruba is working from the bottom.

Forman decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sickaruba, up you get!
Forman tries to clinch up but Sickaruba circles away and keeps his distance.
Sickaruba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sickaruba is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Forman.
Sickaruba checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sickaruba shoots in but no luck this time.

Forman closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Forman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sickaruba's head.
Forman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sickaruba makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Nice takedown defense from Forman. No joy for Sickaruba on that attempt.

Forman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Forman tries to stand and escape but Sickaruba is controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Forman thows a huge punch but Sickaruba dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Forman dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Forman closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Forman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Forman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sickaruba defending well though.
Sickaruba is not content to let Forman control the position.
Forman misses with a head shot. Sickaruba uses the momentum to regain guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Forman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forman wants to control from the top but Sickaruba keeps moving.
Sickaruba wants to stand but Forman is controlling the position.
Forman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sickaruba works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Forman scoring well with a low kick there.
Houston Sickaruba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Forman throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Houston Sickaruba has been cut.
Forman lands a nice shot that snaps Sickaruba's head back.

Forman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sickaruba to the mat! Sickaruba manages to get full guard.
Sickaruba keeping moving, preventing Forman from controlling successfully.

Sickaruba has his feet on Forman's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sickaruba fails to land the takedown.
Danga de danga de dang - Forman scores with a four punch combination!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Forman swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sickaruba.
Sickaruba shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Forman as he avoids it easily.
Sickaruba shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Forman as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Houston Sickaruba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Forman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sickaruba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sickaruba gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Forman counter with a right hand.
Sickaruba has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rick Forman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Forman misses with a double jab.
Forman is looking to clinch.
Forman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sickaruba shoots in but Forman avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forman lands with a nice body kick.
Sickaruba shoots in for a takedown but Forman shows good takedown defense.
Sickaruba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Forman throws a right hand that Sickaruba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sickaruba also avoids with ease.
A right-left combo lands from Forman.
Sickaruba shoots in but no luck this time.
Forman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sickaruba takes one to the side of the head.

Forman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sickaruba sprawls well initially but Forman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Forman thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Sickaruba to regain full guard.
Sickaruba has a closed guard, preventing Forman from standing up.
Forman trying to control the position from guard on top but Sickaruba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Forman wants to stand and escape but instead Sickaruba has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Forman manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Forman shoots in but Sickaruba avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Forman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sickaruba.
Sickaruba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Forman is fending him off so far but Sickaruba persists. Nope, Forman circles away and we're back to standing.
Sickaruba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Forman circles away.
Forman looks to land a combination. Sickaruba sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rick Forman seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Forman has Sickaruba up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Forman presses Sickaruba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Forman is pressed up against the cage. Sickaruba has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Forman down to the mat. Forman avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sickaruba fails with a takedown attempt.
Sickaruba drops his hands momentarily and Forman takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Forman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Houston Sickaruba's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sickaruba tries for a takedown but Forman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Forman with a hook.

Forman has Sickaruba up against the cage in a clinch.

Forman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Forman misses with a wild combination.
Forman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Forman throws a series of punches but Sickaruba avoids them all with ease.
Forman looks to land a combination but Sickaruba avoids it well.
Sickaruba avoids a punch combination nicely.

Sickaruba drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Sickaruba tries for a kimura but Forman is defending well.

Sickaruba is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Forman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Forman is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Sickaruba is controlling him well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forman throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

Sickaruba tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Sickaruba is trying to get an arm triangle but Forman is defending well.

Sickaruba is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Forman has escaped the position, nice work there.

Forman throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Forman leaves Sickaruba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Forman scores with a four punch combination!
Forman leaves Sickaruba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Houston Sickaruba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Forman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Forman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Forman or perhaps it was just good defense by Sickaruba which made him look bad.

Sickaruba closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Sickaruba is working for a kimura but Forman is defending it quite comfortably.
Sickaruba stops Forman from getting back to his feet.

Sickaruba is working for a submission of some sort.
Forman moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sickaruba thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sickaruba stops Forman from standing up.
Forman looking to control.
Sickaruba might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Forman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sickaruba defends well.
Rick Forman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Forman trying to control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Sickaruba drives through with a takedown into guard.
Forman wants to get back to his feet but Sickaruba is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Sickaruba drops back looking for a leg! Forman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Forman manages to kick Sickaruba off! Sickaruba jumps back into Forman's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Forman throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Sickaruba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Forman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sickaruba has managed to get both his arms back between Forman's legs - danger averted.
Sickaruba prevents Forman from getting back to his feet.
Sickaruba stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Forman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Forman is looking to stand up but Sickaruba isn't so interested in that idea.
Forman is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sickaruba on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sickaruba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Houston Sickaruba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rick Forman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sickaruba throws a right hand that Forman ducks under and follows up with a left that Forman also avoids with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Houston Sickaruba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Forman has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Forman!