PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Holden Rosenthal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fred Siciliano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rosenthal kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Rick Derringer - I Am a Real American. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rosenthal
vs
Siciliano

185 cm
23
194 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

177 cm
22
192 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Blitzkrieg Formula 5000
Blitzkrieg Formula 5000

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Holden Rosenthal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fred Siciliano!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rosenthal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Siciliano moves out of range as Rosenthal strikes.
Siciliano looks to land a left hand but Rosenthal moved out of range nicely.
Siciliano keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rosenthal!

Rosenthal drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Siciliano is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Rosenthal is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Rosenthal controlling from mount.
Rosenthal scoring with strikes but Siciliano is staying in there.
Siciliano tries to hold on but Rosenthal pushes him away.
BOOM! Rosenthal connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Siciliano is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rosenthal connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rosenthal lands a nice shot to the head.
Siciliano tries to hold on but Rosenthal pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Siciliano tries to reverse the position but Rosenthal maintains control.
Siciliano is bucking up trying to escape but Rosenthal cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Siciliano sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Siciliano is not content to let Rosenthal control the position.
Rosenthal is thwarting Siciliano's attempts to control the position.
Rosenthal with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Siciliano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Siciliano.
Siciliano working a defensive guard here.
Siciliano pulls Rosenthal in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal tries to free his leg and advance position but Siciliano is retaining full guard.
Siciliano wants to sweep here but Rosenthal controlling him for the moment.
Siciliano is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rosenthal is looking to work some ground and pound but Siciliano has wrist control.
Rosenthal looking to pass the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rosenthal's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rosenthal scoring with some ground and pound.
Rosenthal wants to control from the top but Siciliano keeps moving.
Siciliano is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Siciliano bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rosenthal's guard.
Rosenthal has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Siciliano avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Siciliano wants to pass the guard but Rosenthal is keeping the position.
Rosenthal keeping moving, preventing Siciliano from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Siciliano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rosenthal is on top in guard.
Siciliano can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rosenthal controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal trying to control but Siciliano is working from the bottom.

Siciliano looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rosenthal passes into side control.
Siciliano tries to improve position but can't.
Rosenthal advances nicely into full mount.
Siciliano really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rosenthal scoring with strikes but Siciliano is staying in there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rosenthal lands a heavy elbow.
Siciliano tries to hold on but Rosenthal postures up.
Rosenthal is in the full mount, landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Rosenthal dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rosenthal lands a two punch combo.
Left hook, right uppercut from Siciliano.
Rosenthal punishes Siciliano's body with a nice straight punch.
Siciliano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rosenthal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Siciliano was well out of range. Poor timing from Rosenthal.
Rosenthal looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Siciliano is fending him off so far but Rosenthal persists. Nope, Siciliano circles away and we're back to standing.
Rosenthal throws a predictable looking body shot
and Siciliano counters with a left and a right that stings Rosenthal.
Rosenthal needs to keep his hands up - Siciliano had a free shot at his head there.
Siciliano tries to move into range but Rosenthal moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rosenthal.
Rosenthal takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Siciliano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rosenthal.
Siciliano swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rosenthal counters with a three punch combo that has Siciliano backing up. Siciliano nods at Rosenthal to acknowledge the strikes.
Siciliano swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Rosenthal shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenthal is thwarting Siciliano's attempts to control the position.
Rosenthal trying to control from half guard but Siciliano is working away.
Rosenthal seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rosenthal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Siciliano's head.

Rosenthal is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Siciliano is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rosenthal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Siciliano counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Holden Rosenthal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rosenthal shoots and misses
and Siciliano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A shot to de liver by Siciliano. Beautiful body shot.
Siciliano throws a body punch but Rosenthal moves out of range.
Siciliano cracks Rosenthal with a good jab.
Fred Siciliano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Siciliano misses with a double jab

and Rosenthal counters with a shoot takedown. Siciliano fights it but they end up in guard.
Rosenthal thows a big elbow that misses.
Siciliano looking to control.

Siciliano has his foot on Rosenthal's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rosenthal works his way back into a safe position though.
Rosenthal wants to pass the guard but Siciliano is keeping the position.
Rosenthal scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Siciliano trying to keep a closed guard but Rosenthal is proving a slippery customer.
Rosenthal won't allow Siciliano to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rosenthal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rosenthal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Siciliano counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rosenthal pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Siciliano throws the left hand but Rosenthal avoids the punch easily.
Rosenthal ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Rosenthal feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rosenthal throws a big right hand that misses.

Rosenthal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Siciliano looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rosenthal passes into half guard.

Rosenthal wants to work for an arm triangle but Siciliano is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Siciliano is looking for a sweep. Rosenthal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Rosenthal seems to be working for a kimura but Siciliano defends the submission attempt.
Rosenthal trying to pass the guard but Siciliano defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rosenthal slips a nice elbow through Siciliano's hands, connecting with Siciliano's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Rosenthal dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! 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.

Nice defenses there by Siciliano.
Rosenthal throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rosenthal takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Holden Rosenthal is winning the standup battle so far.
Rosenthal takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rosenthal is looking to wear down Siciliano with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Siciliano throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rosenthal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Siciliano counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rosenthal tries for a takedown but Siciliano circles away easily
and Siciliano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fred Siciliano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rosenthal misses with a looping right.
Siciliano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rosenthal.
Siciliano leaves Rosenthal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Siciliano takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Siciliano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Siciliano misses with a looping left.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Siciliano misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Siciliano misses the jab.

Rosenthal bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Siciliano can't do much from the bottom here.
You can see the frustration on Siciliano's face as Rosenthal controls the position.
Siciliano holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Siciliano is trying to control Rosenthal's posture but Rosenthal avoids it.
Rosenthal trying to control the action but Siciliano is working from the bottom.
Siciliano avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rosenthal.
Fred Siciliano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal landing strikes.
Rosenthal fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Siciliano is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Siciliano's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Siciliano rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rosenthal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rosenthal connects with a high kick.
Rosenthal uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Siciliano.
Rosenthal misses with a combination
and Rosenthal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rosenthal tries for a takedown but Siciliano circles away easily
and Siciliano counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Holden Rosenthal. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rosenthal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Siciliano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rosenthal missing with a left hand there. Siciliano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rosenthal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rosenthal gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Siciliano counters with a stiff right hand.
Siciliano throws a jab when Rosenthal was well out of range.
Rosenthal throws a hook to the side of Siciliano's head but Siciliano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Siciliano missing with a left hand there. Rosenthal was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Rosenthal gets a takedown into half guard.
Siciliano is trying to get back to full guard.
Holden Rosenthal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rosenthal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Siciliano's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal stops Siciliano from getting back to his feet.
Siciliano moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Siciliano looking for a sweep. Not yet Siciliano, not yet.

Siciliano working for a triangle but Rosenthal defends it easily.
Rosenthal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Siciliano is keeping the position for now.
Siciliano is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Holden Rosenthal is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

Rosenthal shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Siciliano is trying to defend but Rosenthal finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Holden Rosenthal.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rosenthal, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Holden Rosenthal!