PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Alvarado (ranked 24088 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benchamek Sitsopirang (ranked 5059 p4p, 0 weight class). Benchamek Sitsopirang has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Alvarado
vs
Sitsopirang

218 cm
22
177 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

RESISTANCE
KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Francesco Alvarado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Benchamek Sitsopirang!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alvarado tries to keep at a distance but Sitsopirang has taken the fight into the clinch.
Alvarado doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sitsopirang fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sitsopirang managing to block the knees to the body from Alvarado.
Sitsopirang throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sitsopirang softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Sitsopirang pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alvarado is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sitsopirang.
Alvarado tries to close the distance and clinch but Sitsopirang swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Sitsopirang moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sitsopirang on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sitsopirang blocks an uppercut.

Sitsopirang breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alvarado misses with a low kick.
Sitsopirang shoots in for a takedown but Alvarado shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alvarado moves into the clinch.
Alvarado keeps control of Sitsopirang as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sitsopirang makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Alvarado wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sitsopirang slowing the pace effectively.

Sitsopirang gets control of Alvarado's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sitsopirang will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Alvarado content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alvarado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alvarado 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.
Alvarado postures up in Sitsopirang's guard and throws a big left but Sitsopirang blocks it.
Alvarado will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sitsopirang is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sitsopirang preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sitsopirang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alvarado.
Alvarado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alvarado distracts Sitsopirang with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sitsopirang avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alvarado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Alvarado gets to his feet. Sitsopirang looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Sitsopirang forces Alvarado back against the cage and clinches.

Sitsopirang breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alvarado fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sitsopirang drives through and clinches with Alvarado against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Sitsopirang.
Alvarado misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sitsopirang comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Alvarado really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A nice left hand lands by Sitsopirang.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Sitsopirang scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sitsopirang is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Alvarado misses with a body punch.

Alvarado pulls guard effortlessly.

Sitsopirang stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Sitsopirang has closed the distance and engaged Alvarado in a clinch.

Sitsopirang breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alvarado on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Sitsopirang gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alvarado tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sitsopirang just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sitsopirang after a bit of a struggle.
Sitsopirang lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sitsopirang tries a knee to the head but Alvarado blocks it.

Sitsopirang pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alvarado takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Benchamek Sitsopirang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sitsopirang rushes Alvarado and presses him up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sitsopirang is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alvarado is defending well for now.

Sitsopirang manages to break the clinch.

Sitsopirang has taken the fight to the clinch.
Alvarado has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sitsopirang leaning his opponent against the cage.
Alvarado jumps guard but Sitsopirang stands there with Alvarado around his waist. Alvarado gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benchamek Sitsopirang dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Alvarado defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sitsopirang.
Alvarado tries to clinch there but Sitsopirang circles away.
Sitsopirang lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Alvarado backs up against the cage.
Sitsopirang with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Sitsopirang darts in and clinches Alvarado up against the cage.
Alvarado trying to land knees to the body.
Sitsopirang on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sitsopirang lands a body shot.
Sitsopirang tries to land a knee to the head but Alvarado blocks with his arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sitsopirang tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Alvarado is trying to pull guard but Sitsopirang has him pressed against the cage.
Sitsopirang tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Alvarado tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarado wants to break free but Sitsopirang has control.
Benchamek Sitsopirang seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Alvarado is trying to force a seperation but Sitsopirang has the dominant position.
Sitsopirang utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Sitsopirang stalling.
Sitsopirang lands a shoulder strike.
Sitsopirang prevents Alvarado from breaking the clinch.
Sitsopirang tries to pull guard but Alvarado won't allow it.
Francesco Alvarado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benchamek Sitsopirang.
Sitsopirang is trying to force a seperation but Alvarado has the dominant position.
Sitsopirang tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Alvarado just stands there and leans against the cage.
Alvarado struggles to land a body shot inside as Sitsopirang controls his hands.
Alvarado is trying to push Sitsopirang away but Sitsopirang has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Alvarado tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sitsopirang's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sitsopirang lands a left hand that snaps the head of Alvarado backwards.

Sitsopirang manages to break the clinch.
Sitsopirang fails to land the takedown.
Alvarado half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Alvarado gets tackled into the cage by Sitsopirang. Sitsopirang maintains the clinch.
Sitsopirang comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sitsopirang lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sitsopirang has had enough of the clinch but Alvarado keeps him there for the moment.
Alvarado tries to throw a body punch but Sitsopirang avoids it by throwing Alvarado back against the cage.
Sitsopirang tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Alvarado smiles and moves away.
Sitsopirang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Sitsopirang closes the distance and pushes Alvarado back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sitsopirang escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Sitsopirang rushes Alvarado and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Alvarado takes a shot to the head.
Sitsopirang scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sitsopirang lands with a left to the head.
Alvarado avoids a wild elbow strike from Sitsopirang.
Sitsopirang throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sitsopirang avoiding damage as Alvarado throws knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Alvarado fails to land.
Sitsopirang jumps guard but Alvarado stands there with Sitsopirang around his waist. Sitsopirang gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alvarado is trying to pull guard but Sitsopirang has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sitsopirang breaks the clinch.

Alvarado tries to keep at a distance but Sitsopirang has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short uppercut from Sitsopirang.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sitsopirang with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alvarado is trying to force a seperation but Sitsopirang has the dominant position.
Sitsopirang using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sitsopirang is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alvarado is defending well for now.
Sitsopirang leaning against his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benchamek Sitsopirang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sitsopirang gets a clinch.
Alvarado struggles to land a body shot inside as Sitsopirang controls his hands.
Alvarado tries to pull guard but Sitsopirang forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sitsopirang.
Sitsopirang makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Sitsopirang breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Sitsopirang gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alvarado on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Alvarado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarado stuffs the takedown.

Sitsopirang closes the distance and pushes Alvarado back into the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sitsopirang.

Sitsopirang breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsopirang stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sitsopirang wants it to stay on the feet.
Sitsopirang lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Sitsopirang forces Alvarado back against the cage and clinches.
Alvarado misses with a punch to the body.
Sitsopirang gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Alvarado keeps control of Sitsopirang as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Alvarado manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Sitsopirang is looking to work some ground and pound but Alvarado has wrist control.
Sitsopirang wants to get up but he can't break Alvarado's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Alvarado manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sitsopirang manages to get himself to full guard.

Alvarado trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alvarado throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sitsopirang works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alvarado throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sitsopirang works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alvarado is looking to work some ground and pound but Sitsopirang has wrist control.
Sitsopirang pulls Alvarado in close to prevent any damage.
Alvarado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alvarado working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Alvarado throws a big right hand that misses.
Sitsopirang avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alvarado throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alvarado postures up.
Alvarado throwing strikes from guard but Sitsopirang blocks nicely.
Sitsopirang really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Alvarado. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarado throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alvarado cracks Sitsopirang with a solid left hand.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alvarado's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Alvarado with a flurry of punches that miss.
Alvarado with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Alvarado preventing the sweep.
Sitsopirang takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sitsopirang wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Alvarado is in close to Sitsopirang's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Alvarado postures up and lands a big shot to Sitsopirang's brow.
Sitsopirang preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Alvarado gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sitsopirang gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A frustrated look appears on Alvarado's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Alvarado is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sitsopirang is defending well for now.
Sitsopirang fails to pull guard.
Alvarado tries to pull guard but Sitsopirang holds him up against the cage and eventually Alvarado drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Alvarado. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sitsopirang is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alvarado is defending well for now.

Alvarado breaks from the clinch.

Sitsopirang has managed to clinch.
Sitsopirang lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Francesco Alvarado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benchamek Sitsopirang is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Alvarado takes a knee to the side of the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Benchamek Sitsopirang.
I've got Sitsopirang winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benchamek Sitsopirang!