PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mike Tsambidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junjun Batobato (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.

Tsambidis
vs
Batobato

167 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ White 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, Mike Tsambidis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Junjun Batobato!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Alyssa Summers and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsambidis with a poor takedown

and Batobato counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tsambidis!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Batobato cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Batobato is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Tsambidis is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Batobato trying to control but Tsambidis is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Batobato connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Batobato punishing his opponent with strikes.
Batobato punishing his opponent with strikes.
Batobato with shots to the head and body - Tsambidis looks very uncomfortable down there.
Batobato lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Tsambidis is squirming around, avoiding Batobato's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batobato putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Tsambidis taking shots to the head.
Batobato raining down hammerfists from mount.
Batobato tries to control but Tsambidis wriggling away.
Batobato lands with some strikes.

Tsambidis is rocked!
Tsambidis is wriggling around trying to escape.
Batobato looking to control but Tsambidis is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Batobato looking to finish Tsambidis with some ground and pound. This is bad for Tsambidis!
Tsambidis is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsambidis wants to control but Batobato is having none of it.
Batobato trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tsambidis is bucking up trying to escape but Batobato cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Batobato raining down shots from the mount!
Batobato is landing with some decent strikes but Tsambidis is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Batobato is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Batobato scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Tsambidis?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batobato controlling the position easily from mount.
Tsambidis tries to hold on but Batobato postures up.
Batobato looking to control and managing it successfully.
Batobato working the ground and pound effectively.
Batobato trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Batobato has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Batobato with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batobato controlling from mount.
Batobato cracks Tsambidis with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Batobato with shots to the head and body - Tsambidis looks very uncomfortable down there.
Batobato dominating with strikes here.
Batobato is in the full mount, landing strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batobato trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Batobato is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Batobato trying to control but Tsambidis is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junjun Batobato dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Batobato closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Tsambidis quickly recovers to half guard.
Batobato winds up and cracks Tsambidis with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Batobato is taking a breather. Tsambidis says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Batobato wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tsambidis keeps working.
Batobato is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tsambidis is trying to get back to full guard.
Junjun Batobato has got the better of the ground game so far.
Batobato looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batobato wants to take a breather but Tsambidis is having none of it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Batobato scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Batobato drops an elbow to the side of Tsambidis's head.

Batobato stands up out of the half guard.

Tsambidis tries to sprawl but Batobato drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Batobato lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Batobato wants to control but Tsambidis is keeping him busy.
Tsambidis trying to control but Batobato postures up.
Batobato trying to control the action but Tsambidis is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Batobato is nestled in close to Tsambidis, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tsambidis wants to control but Batobato is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tsambidis is trying to stand.
Tsambidis trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Batobato misses with a wild body shot.
Tsambidis tries to clinch but Batobato moves away

and Batobato decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tsambidis's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Batobato pushing down on Tsambidis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batobato not doing much here.
Tsambidis is looking to improve his position.
Tsambidis is not content to let Batobato control the position.
Batobato has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Batobato thows a huge punch but Tsambidis dodges it nicely.
Tsambidis tries to get to full guard but Batobato has control of the leg.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Junjun Batobato wasn't active enough on the ground.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Batobato.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Batobato shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tsambidis napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Batobato stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Batobato takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Batobato clinches up against the cage.
Tsambidis tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Batobato smiles and moves away.

Batobato has closed the distance and engaged Tsambidis in a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Batobato tries a knee to the head but Tsambidis blocks it.
Tsambidis has Batobato pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Batobato manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tsambidis is trying to maintain a safe position but Batobato gets an underhook and turns Tsambidis into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junjun Batobato showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tsambidis moves to clinch but Batobato breaks away

and Batobato counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Batobato is taking a breather. Tsambidis says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Batobato is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Batobato trying to control the action but Tsambidis is working from the bottom.
Batobato is looking to advance position but Tsambidis won't allow it.

Batobato stands up and beckons Tsambidis to join him on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Batobato swats away the attempt to clinch by Tsambidis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsambidis circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tsambidis is looking to clinch.

Batobato rushes Tsambidis and presses him up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Batobato creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tsambidis tries to break the clinch but Batobato is controlling the position.
Tsambidis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tsambidis tries to pull guard but Batobato holds him up against the cage and eventually Tsambidis drops back down to his feet.
Tsambidis tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Batobato smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Tsambidis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsambidis tries for a takedown but Batobato circles away easily

and Batobato counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tsambidis!
Tsambidis is wriggling around trying to escape.
A nice elbow there by Batobato.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batobato trying to control but Tsambidis is having none of it.
Tsambidis is bucking up trying to escape but Batobato cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Batobato is landing with some decent strikes but Tsambidis is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Batobato working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Batobato wants to finish this one by submission but Tsambidis is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Batobato.
Batobato has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Tsambidis's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsambidis wants to hold on but Batobato pushes him away.
Batobato landing strikes from the mount and Tsambidis is in trouble!
Batobato tries to control but Tsambidis wriggling away.
Batobato punishing his opponent with strikes.
Batobato working Tsambidis over with strikes here.
Batobato lands with some strikes.
Batobato with a couple of short strikes.
Tsambidis is bucking up trying to escape but Batobato cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsambidis manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Batobato seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Batobato frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Tsambidis is looking to improve his position but Batobato isn't that keen on the idea.
Batobato landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tsambidis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mike Tsambidis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Junjun Batobato is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Batobato punishing his opponent with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junjun Batobato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Batobato 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 25:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 25:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junjun Batobato!