PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Roger Sinozic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyle Willems (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Roger Sinozic has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Sinozic
vs
Willems

170 cm
19
139 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

162 cm
25
144 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roger Sinozic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lyle Willems!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Summer Carpenter and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Willems moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Sinozic goes down! Can Willems finish him!?

It looks like Roger Sinozic has been cut.
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!
Sinozic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Willems trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Willems slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sinozic has momentary wrist control but Willems slips an elbow through the middle.

Sinozic is rocked!
Willems tries to free his leg and advance position but Sinozic is retaining full guard.
Willems trying to control but Sinozic is working from the bottom.
Sinozic trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Willems is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sinozic pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sinozic avoids the body shot from Willems.
Willems swings widly with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Willems tries for a takedown but Sinozic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Willems fails with a takedown attempt.
Sinozic avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sinozic moves out of range of the strikes.
Sinozic lands a front kick.
Sinozic blocks a low kick nicely.
Willems misses with a looping right.
Sinozic lands a head kick. Willems smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Willems misses with a looping left.
Lyle Willems seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sinozic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Willems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Willems throws an overhand right that lands on Sinozic's shoulder, as Sinozic tries to avoid the shot.
Willems throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sinozic counters with an inside leg kick.
Willems looks to land a right hand but Sinozic moved out of range.
Sinozic connects with an inside leg kick.
A left and a right from Willems both land. Nice combination.
Oh Sinozic is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sinozic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Willems.
Sinozic seems to have got his legs back now.
Willems misses with a body shot
and Sinozic counters with a nice low kick that buckles Willems's knee momentarily.
A head kick misses from Sinozic.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sinozic.
Willems sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Willems throws a right hand that misses
and Sinozic makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sinozic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Willems is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Willems throws a low kick but Sinozic avoids it.
Willems closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sinozic counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Willems is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sinozic wants to slow Willems down by chopping away at his legs.
Willems scores with a hook to the body. Sinozic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A swing and a miss from Willems.
Sinozic looks to score with a jab to the body but Willems is just out of range.
Willems moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sinozic chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Willems looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Roger Sinozic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyle Willems.
Willems scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Willems fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sinozic manages to avoid it.
Sinozic connects with a solid leg kick.
Sinozic moves away from the strike by Willems.
Willems's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sinozic fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Willems has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sinozic looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sinozic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Willems dives in and scores a takedown into Sinozic's guard.
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!
Sinozic working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Willems trying to control the position from guard on top but Sinozic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Willems throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Willems accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sinozic wants to stand up but Willems is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyle Willems dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roger Sinozic's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sinozic defending well as Willems loads up on a big left hand.
Willems will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Willems throws a jab when Sinozic was well out of range.
Willems checks the leg kick nicely there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sinozic lands with a kick to the ribs.
Sinozic lands a head kick!
Willems shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Willems throws a leg kick
and Sinozic counters with an outside leg kick.
Sinozic is looking to slow Willems down with leg kicks.
Sinozic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Willems connects with a nice looking jab.
Sinozic staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willems misses with a straight left.
Willems misses the shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Sinozic. No joy for Willems on that attempt.
Sinozic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Willems.
Roger Sinozic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyle Willems.
Sinozic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Willems scores with a body shot.
Sinozic connects with an inside leg kick.
Sinozic scores with a nice body kick.
Sinozic lands a leg kick that knocks Willems off balance momentarily.
Willems blocks a head kick by Sinozic.
Willems throws a right hand that Sinozic ducks under and follows up with a left that Sinozic also avoids with ease.
Willems shoots in looking for a takedown. Sinozic tries to sprawl out of it but Willems keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sinozic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Willems is breathing heavily.

Willems pushes Sinozic up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sinozic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sinozic blocks an uppercut.
Sinozic stalling in the clinch but Willems improves position.
Sinozic tries to throw a body punch but Willems avoids it by throwing Sinozic back against the cage.
Sinozic throws a head punch that misses.
Willems gets through Sinozic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sinozic misses with a body punch.
Willems trying to control the position but instead, Sinozic has worked for underhooks and has pushed Willems into the cage.
Willems trying to land knees to the body.
Sinozic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Sinozic to work.
Sinozic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sinozic misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sinozic can't find room to land a body shot as Willems controls the action.
Willems lands an uppercut.
Sinozic throws a punch but it's blocked by Willems.
Willems lands a left hand.
Sinozic swings wildly with an uppercut but Willems uses good head movement to avoid it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Willems - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Willems scores with a nice hook to the head.
Willems digs a right hand underneath Sinozic's ribcage. Sinozic let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sinozic throws a punch but it's blocked by Willems.
Willems blocking some punches.
Willems keeps control of Sinozic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Willems is stalling here.
A head punch on the inside from Willems fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Willems can't break the clinch.
Willems blocking some punches.
Sinozic prevents a body shot from Willems.
Willems wants to stall.
Sinozic is trying to maintain a safe position but Willems gets an underhook and turns Sinozic into the cage.
Willems tries a knee to the head but Sinozic blocks it.
Sinozic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sinozic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sinozic struggles to land a body shot inside as Willems controls his hands.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Willems lands with a light punch inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sinozic tries to work over Willems's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Willems.
A frustrated look appears on Sinozic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sinozic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyle Willems showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Roger Sinozic's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sinozic tries a head kick but it misses.
Sinozic slips under a jab from Willems.
Sinozic cracks the inside of Willems's front leg.
Willems connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Willems tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sinozic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sinozic lands a leg kick that knocks Willems off balance momentarily.
Lyle Willems seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sinozic lands a nice looking body kick.
Crunch! Sinozic slams his shin into Willems's torso.
Sinozic ducks under a wild hook from Willems.
Sinozic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Willems closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sinozic circles away.
Sinozic walks into a jab.
Willems throws a head kick but Sinozic moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Willems tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sinozic swivels and escapes.
Willems takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sinozic turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sinozic tries a low kick but Willems avoids it.
Willems steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sinozic. That one must have hurt.
Willems misses with a hook
and Sinozic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Willems throws an overhand right that lands on Sinozic's shoulder, as Sinozic tries to avoid the shot.
Sinozic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Roger Sinozic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sinozic looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Willems misses with a body shot
and Sinozic makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Willems really felt that one!
Willems misses with a shot to the body
and Sinozic makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sinozic fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Willems.
Willems ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sinozic moves away.
Sinozic connects with a leg kick. Willems looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A low kick from Willems is predictable there
and Sinozic counters with a nice body kick.
Willems swinging wildly here.
Roger Sinozic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Willems wants to clinch up but Sinozic keeps it at a distance.
Sinozic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Willems scores with a nice head shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Willems crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sinozic - the referee stops the clock and Willems gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sinozic. Willems manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A swing and a miss from Willems.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sinozic lands with a kick to the ribs.
Willems misses with an uppercut
and Sinozic counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Willems swings for the body but Sinozic moves out of range.
Sinozic misses with a low kick.
Sinozic slaps away a takedown attempt from Willems, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lyle Willems is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Roger Sinozic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lyle Willems.
Willems looks to land a left hand but Sinozic moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willems throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sinozic throws a push kick but Willems slaps the foot to one side.
Willems shoots in but Sinozic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sinozic throws a sloppy head kick and Willems moves out of range easily.
Sinozic throws a head kick but Willems moves out of range.
Sinozic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Willems.
Sinozic throws a solid leg kick but Willems takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sinozic.
A looping hook to the body misses from Willems. Sinozic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Willems throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Willems rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sinozic counters with a low kick, right behind Willems 's knee.
Willems shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sinozic but Sinozic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sinozic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Willems has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Sinozic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sinozic slips under a jab.
Sinozic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Willems manages to avoid it.
Sinozic takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Willems has a takedown stuffed.
Willems throws a jab but it's blocked by Sinozic.
Sinozic fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Willems checks it well.
A big left from Willems misses.
Willems on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sinozic. Sinozic obviously looking to wear him down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big right from Willems misses.
Willems tries to bum rush Sinozic with a series of wild strikes but Sinozic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Willems closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sinozic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lyle Willems.
Well Willems 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyle Willems!
In his post fight interview, Lyle Willems started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.