PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fred Siciliano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikuhisa Minowa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Siciliano
vs
Minowa

177 cm
29
192 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

182 cm
23
200 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fred Siciliano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ikuhisa Minowa!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Siciliano closes the distance and clinches.
Minowa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Siciliano gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Siciliano can't find room to land a body shot as Minowa controls the action.
Siciliano prevents the takedown attempt.
Siciliano pushes Minowa back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Minowa blocks a body shot from Siciliano.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Siciliano creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Siciliano gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Minowa.
Fred Siciliano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ikuhisa Minowa.
A short left from Siciliano.
Siciliano tries for a takedown but Minowa manages to get underhooks.
Siciliano is pressed up against the cage. Minowa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Siciliano down to the mat. Siciliano avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fred Siciliano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minowa misses with a straight left.
Nice takedown defense from Minowa. No joy for Siciliano on that attempt.
Minowa shoots in but Siciliano avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Siciliano closes the distance but Minowa moves to the side
and Minowa counters with a nice body shot.
Siciliano has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Siciliano there as he acknowledges the shot.
Siciliano lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minowa missing with a left hand there. Siciliano was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Minowa has his takedown stuffed
and Siciliano counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Minowa circles away from the clinch attempt
and Minowa counters with a stiff right hand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Minowa.
Minowa passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Siciliano!
Siciliano in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Siciliano is trying to stand up.

Minowa is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Siciliano can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Minowa goes for an armbar but Siciliano turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Siciliano.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Minowa has momentary wrist control but Siciliano slips an elbow through the middle.

Siciliano got a little sloppy there for a moment and Minowa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Siciliano has managed to get both his arms back between Minowa's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Siciliano showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Siciliano working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Minowa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Siciliano is one step ahead there.
Siciliano passes Minowa's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Minowa tries to roll over but Siciliano keeps him under control.
Siciliano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Siciliano scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Siciliano lands with a punch from half guard.
Minowa is looking to control Siciliano's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Minowa avoid being mounted?
Siciliano wants to lay and pray for a moment but Minowa keeps working.
Minowa tries to roll over but Siciliano keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Siciliano.
Minowa tries to roll over but Siciliano keeps him under control.
Siciliano working over Minowa with some ground and pound. Minowa looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Siciliano is nestled in close to Minowa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Siciliano wants to control but Minowa is keeping him busy.
Siciliano wants to free his trapped foot but Minowa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Minowa on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Siciliano looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Minowa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Minowa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Minowa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Minowa throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Minowa is staying active underneath Siciliano, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Minowa is looking for a sweep. Siciliano is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minowa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Siciliano lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Minowa is looking for a sweep. Siciliano is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Siciliano seems to be looking for submissions.
Minowa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Siciliano throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ground and pound from Siciliano.
Siciliano is trying to control. Minowa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Minowa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Siciliano.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Siciliano is just content to waste time from the top position. Minowa takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Siciliano working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Minowa's head.
Siciliano wants to control from the top but Minowa keeps moving.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Siciliano avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Minowa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Minowa trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Siciliano lands a couple of digs.
Siciliano 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.
Minowa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Siciliano postures up in Minowa's guard and throws a big left but Minowa blocks it.
Minowa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Siciliano is controlling him.
Minowa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minowa keeping moving, preventing Siciliano from controlling successfully.
Siciliano working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Minowa has his foot on Siciliano's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Siciliano works his way back into a safe position though.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Siciliano chips away with some ground and pound.

Siciliano gets to his feet. Minowa looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Minowa has a takedown stuffed.
Siciliano is looking to clinch.
Minowa tries to bum rush Siciliano with a series of wild strikes but Siciliano uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fight stays on the outside here - Siciliano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Minowa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Siciliano defends it nicely.
Minowa thows a body shot but no joy.

Siciliano forces Minowa back against the cage and clinches.
Siciliano digs a right hand underneath Minowa's ribcage. Minowa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Minowa looks gassed!
Minowa is looking to take this one to the mat.
Siciliano just leaning against Minowa, taking a breather.
Siciliano lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Minowa breaks from the clinch.
Siciliano fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Minowa fails with a takedown attempt.
Siciliano tries to clinch there but Minowa circles away.
Minowa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Siciliano swivels and escapes.
Minowa shoots in for a takedown but Siciliano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Siciliano moves in looking to clinch but Minowa pushes him off.
Siciliano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Minowa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Siciliano is looking to clinch but Minowa is avoiding it.
Nice takedown defense from Minowa. No joy for Siciliano on that attempt.
Siciliano tries to bum rush Minowa with a series of wild strikes but Minowa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Siciliano shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Siciliano is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Siciliano working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Minowa trying to keep a closed guard but Siciliano is proving a slippery customer.
Minowa wants to stand but Siciliano is controlling the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Minowa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Siciliano is in close to Minowa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Siciliano trying to control the position from guard on top but Minowa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Siciliano is looking to work some ground and pound but Minowa has wrist control.
Siciliano won't allow Minowa to sweep him here.

Minowa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Siciliano is aware though and is defending well.
Minowa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Siciliano wants to get back to his feet.
Siciliano is pressing down on Minowa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Siciliano uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Minowa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Siciliano scores a takedown into full mount!
Minowa slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Minowa is trying to get back to full guard.

Siciliano seems to be working for a kimura but Minowa defends the submission attempt.

Siciliano is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Minowa wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Siciliano tries to pass to full mount but Minowa defends it.
Minowa wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Siciliano dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Minowa with a lazy takedown attempt
and Siciliano counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Siciliano avoids a punch combination nicely.
Minowa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Siciliano.
Minowa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Siciliano misses with a series of wild punches.

Minowa shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Siciliano's guard.
Siciliano wants to get back to his feet but Minowa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Minowa stopping the sweep attempt from Siciliano.
Minowa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Siciliano is keeping the position for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Minowa passes Siciliano's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Minowa prevents Siciliano from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minowa trying to control from half guard but Siciliano is working away.
Siciliano pushes Minowa off looking to stand but Minowa dives back in and keeps control.
Minowa is trying to control the action in half guard but Siciliano is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Minowa is looking for a kimura here.
Minowa is breathing heavily.
Minowa trying to control the action but Siciliano is working from the bottom.
Minowa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Siciliano's head.
Minowa trying to pass the guard but Siciliano defending well.
Minowa is trying to control. Siciliano wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Siciliano is trying to stand back up but Minowa is controlling him
Minowa works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minowa trying to control but Siciliano is having none of it.

Minowa has control of Siciliano's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Siciliano regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Siciliano is trying to stand.
Minowa trying to control but Siciliano is having none of it.

Minowa has control of Siciliano's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Siciliano regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Siciliano is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minowa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Siciliano regains half guard.

Minowa seems to be looking for submissions.
Minowa trying to pass the guard but Siciliano defending well.
Minowa works his way into side control.
Siciliano is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Siciliano is trying to buck Minowa off.

Minowa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Siciliano is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Siciliano manages to get back to half guard.
Siciliano trying to hold on to Minowa's head to control him but Minowa postures up.
Minowa is keen to just control but Siciliano is a slippery customer.
Minowa prevents Siciliano from improving his position.
Minowa works his foot free and advances to mount.

Minowa jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Siciliano is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Siciliano and Minowa has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Siciliano is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Minowa asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Siciliano is trying to control Minowa's posture but Minowa avoids it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Minowa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Minowa tries to advance to mount but Siciliano denies him.

Minowa goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Siciliano has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Minowa but great work by Siciliano.
Minowa is pushing Siciliano's head away, looking to escape. Siciliano manages to hold on to the position though.
Minowa is not content to let Siciliano control the position.
Minowa tries to bench press Siciliano off him but Siciliano keeps the position.
Siciliano scoring with punches and elbows.
Siciliano looks up at the clock and then as Minowa takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Siciliano smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Siciliano scores with punches from side control.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Minowa is looking for a sweep.
Minowa takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Siciliano lands a few punches from side control.
Siciliano is looking to take a break and control but Minowa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Siciliano connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Minowa some visible discomfort.
Fred Siciliano overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Siciliano looks up at the clock and then as Minowa takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Siciliano smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Siciliano controlling from side mount.
Minowa manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Minowa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Siciliano trying to control here.
Minowa trying to advance position but Siciliano counters by regaining guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Minowa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Siciliano is keeping the position for now.
Siciliano wants to stand but Minowa is controlling the position.
Minowa tries to free his leg and advance position but Siciliano is retaining full guard.
Siciliano wants to stand up but Minowa is controlling him.
Siciliano wants to sweep here but Minowa controlling him for the moment.
Minowa passes into half guard.

Siciliano kicks Minowa off and gets back to his feet.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Siciliano is looking to clinch.
Siciliano tries to clinch up but Minowa circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Siciliano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Minowa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Minowa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Siciliano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Minowa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Siciliano misses with a head kick.
Siciliano avoids a punch combination nicely.
Siciliano misses with a combination
and Minowa counters with a one-two to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Siciliano misses the shot to the body.
Siciliano walks into a left hand.

Siciliano has taken the fight to the clinch.
Siciliano wants to take the fight to the mat but Minowa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Minowa breaks from the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Minowa tries for a takedown but Siciliano sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Siciliano has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Siciliano there as he acknowledges the shot.
Minowa throws a series of punches but Siciliano moves out of range.
Siciliano tries to clinch up but Minowa circles away and keeps his distance.
Siciliano is looking to clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Minowa. Those never looked like landing.

Siciliano has Minowa up against the cage in a clinch.
Minowa can't break the clinch.
Minowa working hard to break the clinch.
Minowa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Minowa is working for takedown but Siciliano is calmly controlling the position for now.
Fred Siciliano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ikuhisa Minowa.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Siciliano is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Minowa pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Minowa breaks from the clinch.
Ikuhisa Minowa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Minowa scores with a takedown into Siciliano's guard.
Minowa won't allow Siciliano to get back to his feet.

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 Fred Siciliano.
Well Siciliano has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Fred Siciliano!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Fred Siciliano!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Fred Siciliano!

Fred Siciliano wins by unanimous decision!
Fred Siciliano thanked the fans post fight for their support.