PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jeffrey Sarpong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Cabrillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sarpong
vs
Cabrillo

187 cm
34
178 lbs
32 - 13 - 2

177 cm
40
186 lbs
24 - 16 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 13 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jeffrey Sarpong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Juan Cabrillo!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sarpong lands a body shot.
Sarpong throws a jab but it's blocked by Cabrillo.
It seemed like Cabrillo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cabrillo moves out of range of the leg kick from Sarpong.
Cabrillo blocks a head kick by Sarpong.
Cabrillo misses with a wild combination.
Jeffrey Sarpong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sarpong goes for a double leg but Cabrillo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cabrillo continues to drive forward.
Cabrillo slips under a jab from Sarpong.
Cabrillo doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sarpong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cabrillo.

Cabrillo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sarpong wants to improve his position but Cabrillo is controlling well.

Sarpong looking for submissions off his back.
Cabrillo prevents Sarpong from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarpong trying to hold on to Cabrillo's head to control him but Cabrillo postures up.
Sarpong is looking for a sweep. Cabrillo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sarpong is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at London MMA Club, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Cabrillo thows a huge punch but Sarpong dodges it nicely.
Cabrillo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sarpong with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sarpong is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cabrillo lands with a punch from half guard.
Sarpong gets back to full guard.
Sarpong lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrillo wants to sweep here but Sarpong controlling him for the moment.
Cabrillo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sarpong preventing the sweep.

Sarpong has gone for a leg lock! Cabrillo slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sarpong's guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sarpong looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Cabrillo passes into half guard.
Cabrillo misses with a head shot. Sarpong uses the momentum to regain guard.
Sarpong working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cabrillo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sarpong has his foot on Cabrillo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cabrillo works his way back into a safe position though.
Cabrillo postures up and lands a big shot to Sarpong's brow.
Sarpong looking for a sweep. Not yet Sarpong, not yet.
Sarpong controls Cabrillo momentarily but Cabrillo frees himself.
Cabrillo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sarpong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cabrillo landing some decent shots from guard.
Cabrillo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sarpong swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sarpong looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four 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.
Sarpong wants to sweep but no luck.

Sarpong is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cabrillo is aware though and is defending well.
Cabrillo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sarpong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sarpong 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.
Cabrillo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sarpong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cabrillo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sarpong's head.
Cabrillo stopping the sweep attempt from Sarpong.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sarpong is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Cabrillo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Juan Cabrillo will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sarpong tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sarpong throws a lazy right hand but Cabrillo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cabrillo walks into a left hand.
Cabrillo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sarpong pinned against the cage. Sarpong gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sarpong paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Cabrillo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cabrillo walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sarpong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sarpong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sarpong throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Cabrillo to counter with a crisp jab.
Cabrillo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cabrillo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Sarpong looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Cabrillo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarpong lands a few punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sarpong takes a little break here. Cabrillo wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Sarpong tries to move into full mount but can't pass Cabrillo's legs.
Sarpong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cabrillo keeps working.
Cabrillo is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sarpong connects with a decent elbow.
Cabrillo prevents Sarpong from improving position.
Sarpong creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Cabrillo sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrillo struggling a bit here.
Sarpong scores with punches from side control.
Cabrillo gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sarpong is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Cabrillo reverses the position - he's now on top in Sarpong's guard.
Cabrillo postures up and lands a big shot to Sarpong's brow.
Cabrillo 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.
Sarpong 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.
Sarpong controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sarpong is looking for a triangle but Cabrillo pushes his legs off easily.
Cabrillo is working Sarpong over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cabrillo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sarpong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cabrillo trying to control but Sarpong is working from the bottom.
Sarpong is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cabrillo wants to control from the top but Sarpong keeps moving.
Cabrillo connects with a couple of short punches.
Sarpong trying to keep a closed guard but Cabrillo is proving a slippery customer.
Cabrillo being controlled here momentarily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four 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.
Sarpong wants to sweep here but Cabrillo controlling him for the moment.
Cabrillo is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sarpong lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sarpong misses with an uppercut. Cabrillo saw that one coming.
Sarpong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cabrillo! But no joy.
Sarpong lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sarpong - that will leave a mark!
Cabrillo blocks a head kick by Sarpong.
Sarpong shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cabrillo sprawls well. Cabrillo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sarpong gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeffrey Sarpong dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cabrillo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sarpong.
Sarpong fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cabrillo.
Sarpong connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cabrillo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sarpong.
Cabrillo has a takedown stuffed.
Cabrillo stuffs the takedown attempt from Sarpong. Sarpong gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sarpong misses with a hook
and Cabrillo counters with a series of strikes. Sarpong will be more careful next time no doubt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sarpong.
Sarpong connects with a nice looking jab.
Cabrillo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sarpong stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sarpong wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crunch! Sarpong slams his shin into Cabrillo's torso.
Sarpong thows a leg kick but Cabrillo checks it

and Cabrillo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Sarpong looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cabrillo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sarpong moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Cabrillo distracts Sarpong with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cabrillo postures up and lands a big shot to Sarpong's brow.
Sarpong is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Juan Cabrillo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cabrillo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sarpong looking for a guillotine here but Cabrillo defends easily.
Sarpong keeping moving, preventing Cabrillo from controlling successfully.
Sarpong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sarpong bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cabrillo's guard.

Cabrillo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cabrillo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sarpong has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sarpong is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sarpong looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Sarpong is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cabrillo connects with a couple of short punches.
Cabrillo chips away with some ground and pound.
Sarpong wants to sweep but no luck.

Sarpong has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cabrillo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cabrillo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sarpong's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrillo is working Sarpong over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sarpong being controlled here, momentarily.
Cabrillo trying to control but Sarpong is working from the bottom.

Sarpong is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cabrillo is aware though and is defending well.
Cabrillo tries to free his leg and advance position but Sarpong is retaining full guard.
Cabrillo cracks Sarpong with a solid left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cabrillo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sarpong is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cabrillo desperately trying to maintain half guard.

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 Jeffrey Sarpong.
I think Sarpong has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jeffrey Sarpong!