PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sami Sykloni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Kessler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sykloni comes to the cage accompanied by Within Temptation - Whole World Is Watching. Kessler is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Yattering - Chase of Thoughts . Sami Sykloni has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sykloni
vs
Kessler

188 cm
31
184 lbs
25 - 12 - 0

185 cm
30
203 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear
Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

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 25 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sami Sykloni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Kessler!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Richard Clark and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kessler looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sykloni shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kessler manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sykloni on his heels. He'll look to pass Sykloni's guard now, I'm sure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kessler wants to control from the top but Sykloni keeps moving.
Kessler working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sykloni's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kessler preventing the sweep.
Kessler 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.
Kessler wants to control from the top but Sykloni keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sykloni misses the jab.
Kessler throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've been hearing reports that Sykloni has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Kessler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sykloni.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kessler. That's going to slow Sykloni down.
Sykloni looks to score with a jab to the body but Kessler is just out of range.
Jab from Sykloni.
Kessler fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sykloni lands a nice hook to Kessler's body. Kessler takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kessler fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sykloni is out of range.
Kessler throws a body kick that misses.
Kessler throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kessler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sykloni manages to avoid it.
Sykloni lands a jab to the nose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kessler has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sykloni works Kessler's body with a nice hook.

Sykloni has Kessler up against the cage in a clinch.
Sykloni will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kessler up against the cage.

Kessler pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sykloni stopping the sweep attempt from Kessler.
Kessler working a defensive guard here.
Kessler is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sykloni trying to control but Kessler is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sykloni trying to control the position from guard on top but Kessler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sykloni is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kessler lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sykloni will feel that in the morning.

Kessler has managed to clinch.
Sykloni has a couple of punches blocked by Kessler.
Sykloni is looking to break free of the clinch but Kessler has double underhooks.
Sykloni misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sykloni has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kessler is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sykloni working aggressively here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sykloni throws a head punch that misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kessler creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sykloni.
Kessler tries a body shot but Sykloni blocks it.
Sykloni looking to stall.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sykloni dodges an elbow strike from Kessler.
Sykloni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sykloni wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kessler has him pressed against the cage.
Kessler taking a breather.
Kessler tries to break the clinch but Sykloni is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Kessler dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sykloni takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jack Kessler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sykloni tries for a takedown but Kessler circles away easily
and Kessler counters with a nice leg kick.
Kessler thows a leg kick but Sykloni checks it
and Sykloni counters with a nice body shot.
Sykloni shoots in looking for a takedown. Kessler tries to sprawl out of it but Sykloni keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kessler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sykloni avoids a kick to the body.
The crowd cheers as Sykloni lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kessler doesn't seem phased though.
Sykloni throws a right hand that Kessler ducks under and follows up with a left that Kessler also avoids with ease.
Kessler scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kessler uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sykloni.
Good standup being displayed there by Sykloni as he connects with a hook.
Sykloni tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sykloni drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kessler tries to land a leg kick but Sykloni saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sykloni doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sykloni throws a nice looking combination but Kessler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kessler throws a chopping leg kick but Sykloni manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kessler thows a body kick. Sykloni tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kessler lands a front kick.
Kessler throws a body shot but no joy.
Sykloni moves out of range of the body kick.
Kessler ducks under a wild hook from Sykloni.
Sykloni misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kessler goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kessler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kessler looks for a takedown but Sykloni sprawls well.
A punch lands to the side of Sykloni 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sykloni throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kessler slips a straight right by Sykloni.
Kessler feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sykloni's calf.
Kessler pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sykloni is out of range and Kessler settles back down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kessler.
Sykloni looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nice defenses there by Kessler.
Kessler thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Sykloni if he has to take too many more of those.
Jack Kessler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kessler throws a front kick aimed at Sykloni's knee but Sykloni avoids it well.
Sykloni is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Jab by Sykloni.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kessler.
Kessler pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sykloni. Kessler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sykloni takes a swing at Kessler's ribcage but misses.
Kessler wants to clinch up but Sykloni keeps it at a distance.
Sykloni misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler wants to clinch up but Sykloni keeps it at a distance.
Kessler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sykloni sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sykloni throws a body shot but no joy.
Kessler throws a leg kick
and Sykloni counters with a thumping low kick.
Kessler goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sykloni dives in for a single leg takedown but Kessler sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sami Sykloni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kessler trying to control the position but instead, Sykloni has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kessler into the cage.
Kessler blocks an uppercut.
Kessler blocks an uppercut.
Kessler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kessler stalling against the cage.
Sykloni has a couple of punches blocked by Kessler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kessler tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kessler lands an elbow just above Sykloni 's eye.

Sykloni breaks from the clinch.
Kessler throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sykloni takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sykloni tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sykloni throws the left hand but Kessler avoids the punch easily.
Sykloni slaps away a takedown attempt from Kessler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kessler blocks a leg kick.
Sykloni stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sykloni wants it to stay on the feet.
Sykloni looks to clinch
and Kessler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!
Kessler throws a leg kick but Sykloni checks it.
Kessler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A jab lands there for Sykloni.
Kessler takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jack Kessler will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kessler swings for the body but Sykloni moves out of range.
Sykloni on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kessler lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sykloni's sensitive parts.
Sykloni lands a slapping body shot.
Kessler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kessler slips under a jab.
Kessler throws a nice inside leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Kessler.
Sykloni digs a good hook to Kessler's body.
Sykloni is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sykloni. Kessler does a little dance to reset his feet.

Sykloni looking to score a takedown here. Kessler is defending well but Sykloni drives through and ends up in Kessler's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sykloni missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sykloni trying to control the position from guard on top but Kessler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykloni passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Sykloni slows the pace down.
Kessler is looking to regain half guard here but Sykloni keeps moving and retains side control.
Sykloni controls the position.
Sykloni's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sykloni wants to control but Kessler is keeping him busy.
Kessler is looking for a sweep.
Sykloni taking a breather here.
Kessler stops Sykloni from passing to mount.
Kessler is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sykloni's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kessler wants to control but Sykloni is keeping busy.
Jack Kessler is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni misses with a head shot. Kessler uses the momentum to regain guard.
Sami Sykloni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sykloni would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sykloni missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A leg kick checked by Sykloni.
Kessler slips under a jab from Sykloni.
Kessler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sykloni throws a shot from downtown. Kessler moves away and avoids it.

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.
Kessler will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kessler throws an overhand right that lands on Sykloni's shoulder, as Sykloni tries to avoid the shot.
Sykloni keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kessler.
Sykloni misses with a shot to the body
and Kessler counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kessler throws a head kick that half lands.
Some wild striking there from Sykloni.
Kessler bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sykloni tries to clinch but Kessler is having none of it.
Kessler connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sykloni. Kessler does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sykloni moves out of range of the body kick.
Kessler misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kessler scores with a body shot.
Kessler fails with the takedown.

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 Sami Sykloni.
I think Kessler has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jack Kessler!
Jack Kessler seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.