PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rosco Ladd (ranked 842 p4p, 111 weight class) and Sesto D Ippolito (ranked 1373 p4p, 180 weight class). D Ippolito has chosen Squeeze- Cool for Cats as his entrance music. The key to victory for Rosco Ladd has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Ladd
vs
D Ippolito

176 cm
29
198 lbs
15 - 11 - 1

180 cm
28
186 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 15 - 11 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rosco Ladd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sesto D Ippolito!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ladd looks to throw the jab but D Ippolito is out of range.
Ladd stuffs the takedown.
Jab, jab by Ladd - just one landing.
D Ippolito uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ladd.
D Ippolito clobbers Ladd with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
D Ippolito is looking to clinch.
D Ippolito slips under a jab.
Ladd misses with a wild body shot.

D Ippolito shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ladd is trying to defend but D Ippolito finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ladd keeping control of the position.
Ladd tries to roll over but D Ippolito keeps him under control.
Ladd trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

D Ippolito is looking for a kimura but Ladd is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for D Ippolito to get the leverage.
D Ippolito scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ladd keeping hold of D Ippolito's head, controlling as best he can.

D Ippolito is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Ladd still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Ladd has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
D Ippolito is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ladd's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

D Ippolito looking for submissions off his back.

D Ippolito actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

D Ippolito looking for submissions off his back.
Ladd wants to free his trapped foot but D Ippolito is holding on for dear life with his legs.

D Ippolito looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

D Ippolito looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ladd is sneakily working for an arm triangle but D Ippolito sees it coming and defends easily.

D Ippolito looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ladd is working for a submission of some sort.

Ladd wants to work for an arm triangle but D Ippolito is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

D Ippolito looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
D Ippolito tries to roll over but Ladd keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ladd looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Ladd seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

D Ippolito looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
D Ippolito wants to improve his position but Ladd is controlling well.
We've been hearing good reports from Ladd's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
D Ippolito makes his way to full guard. A much better position for D Ippolito.
Ladd passes easily into side control. Nice work.
D Ippolito tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ladd moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Ladd trying to control the action but D Ippolito is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rosco Ladd dominated that round.
That's time! Ladd's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

D Ippolito shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than D Ippolito was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Ladd bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
D Ippolito uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ladd.
D Ippolito gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ladd.
Ladd lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
D Ippolito thuds a left hand into Ladd's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ladd misses with an uppercut.
D Ippolito is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A punch combination from Ladd misses.
Ladd just misses with a punch to the body.
D Ippolito lands a two punch combo.
Ladd waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract D Ippolito.
Ladd throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
D Ippolito uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ladd.
Ladd is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that D Ippolito can do to turn this around?
D Ippolito throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A slow jab from Ladd misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Ladd does no damage.
D Ippolito fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ladd misses with an uppercut.
D Ippolito slips under a jab from Ladd.
Ladd jabbing away but nothing is landing.
D Ippolito is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

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

Ladd throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
A telegraphed right hand from Ladd misses the target.
Ladd throws a body punch but D Ippolito moves out of range.
D Ippolito tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
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!
Ladd throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

D Ippolito throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ladd was covering up waiting for the punch and D Ippolito finishes the takedown easily into guard.
D Ippolito's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
D Ippolito trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ladd wants to sweep but no luck.
D Ippolito throwing strikes from guard but Ladd blocks nicely.
D Ippolito with a nice head shot there.
Ladd wants to sweep but no luck.

D Ippolito drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and D Ippolito jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
D Ippolito pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ladd is keeping the position for now.
D Ippolito trying to control but Ladd is working from the bottom.
Ladd wants to stand up but D Ippolito is controlling him.
D Ippolito throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
D Ippolito stopping the sweep attempt from Ladd.
Ladd has momentary wrist control but D Ippolito slips an elbow through the middle.
Ladd is trying to control the position from the bottom.

D Ippolito postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ladd is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of D Ippolito, into his guard.

D Ippolito keeping moving, preventing Ladd from controlling successfully.
Ladd slips nicely into half guard.
Ladd is looking to advance position but D Ippolito won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
D Ippolito controlling the position for now.

Ladd looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
D Ippolito wants to get back to full guard.
Ladd is pressing down on D Ippolito's thigh, looking to free his foot. D Ippolito is holding on for now.
D Ippolito regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ladd passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rosco Ladd dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

D Ippolito doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
D Ippolito blocks a jab.
Ladd scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ladd misses with a straight left.
Ladd falls off balance throwing a combination

and D Ippolito counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by D Ippolito.
Ladd has momentary wrist control but D Ippolito slips an elbow through the middle.
D Ippolito pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ladd is keeping the position for now.

Ladd pushes D Ippolito off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Rosco Ladd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ladd keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As D Ippolito looks to move away, Ladd throws a big counter combo but D Ippolito just gets out of the way.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ladd. D Ippolito does a little dance to reset his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ladd lands a right hook to the body.
D Ippolito shoots in for a takedown but Ladd shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
D Ippolito misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
D Ippolito keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
D Ippolito fails with the takedown
and D Ippolito takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
D Ippolito scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ladd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but D Ippolito manages to avoid it.
D Ippolito misses with a takedown attempt
and Ladd counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rosco Ladd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sesto D Ippolito.
Ladd throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ladd misses the shot to the body.
D Ippolito shoots in for a takedown but Ladd shows good takedown defense.
Ladd throws out a loose jab but D Ippolito uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ladd lands a head shot.
Ladd thows a left - swing and a miss!
D Ippolito takes one to the chin there.
A swing and a miss from Ladd.
Ladd tries to bum rush D Ippolito with a series of wild strikes but D Ippolito uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

D Ippolito throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ladd tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. D Ippolito is in Ladd's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ladd wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
D Ippolito wants to control from the top but Ladd keeps moving.

D Ippolito is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ladd 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.
D Ippolito throwing strikes but missing.
Sesto D Ippolito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ladd has control of D Ippolito's left arm, preventing D Ippolito from doing any damage.
D Ippolito preventing the sweep.
Ladd is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

D Ippolito actively working from the bottom here.

D Ippolito looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ladd uses his free foot to push down on D Ippolito's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for D Ippolito.
D Ippolito is desperately trying to improve his position but Ladd has a good base and remains in mount.

Ladd is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Ladd throws a hook to the side of D Ippolito's head but D Ippolito sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ladd throws a body punch but D Ippolito moves out of range.
Ladd's corner calls for a 1-2. Ladd obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

D Ippolito dives in and scores a takedown into Ladd's guard.

Ladd manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A left and a right from Ladd both land. Nice combination.
D Ippolito steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ladd.
D Ippolito fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
D Ippolito is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ladd.
Rosco Ladd is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ladd misses with a looping left.
Ladd works D Ippolito's body with a nice hook.
Ladd blocks a jab.
D Ippolito swings for the body but Ladd moves out of range.
Rosco Ladd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
D Ippolito digs a good hook to Ladd's body.
Ladd misses with a wild body shot.
Jab, jab by Ladd - just one landing.
D Ippolito moves out of range as Ladd strikes.
Ladd lands an overhand right.
D Ippolito takes a body punch but keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rosco Ladd showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ladd 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rosco Ladd!
In defeat, Sesto D Ippolito stepped up to the mic, saying 'soundcloud.com/spinmanfinn'.