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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Sycek (ranked 1189 p4p, 933 weight class) and Leonardo Esposito (ranked 149 p4p, 114 weight class). Leonardo Esposito has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 178 cm
35
193
22 - 24 - 2 |
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185 cm
33
190
21 - 13 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very quick |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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 22 - 24 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Samuel Sycek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Leonardo Esposito!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sycek closes the distance and clinches up with Esposito, looking for a takedown. Sycek pushes Esposito against the cage but Esposito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Good shot there by Esposito.
Esposito darts in and clinches Sycek up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Esposito fails to land.
Sycek jumps guard and drags Esposito to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Esposito wants to get up but he can't break Sycek's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Esposito stopping the sweep attempt from Sycek.
Esposito wants to stand but Sycek is controlling his posture from full guard.
Sycek trying to keep a closed guard but Esposito is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sycek bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Esposito's guard.
Esposito working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sycek.
Sycek throwing strikes but missing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito wants to stand but Sycek is controlling the position.
Sycek chips away with some ground and pound.
Sycek throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esposito works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sycek missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Esposito really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sycek. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sycek won't allow Esposito to get back to his feet.
Esposito working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sycek.
Esposito preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sycek chips away with some ground and pound.
Sycek trying to control but Esposito is working from the bottom.
Sycek prevents Esposito from getting back to his feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Esposito has momentary wrist control but Sycek slips an elbow through the middle.
Sycek working some strikes from top position.
We've been hearing good reports from Sycek'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.
Sycek landing some decent shots from guard.
Sycek lands a couple of elbows.
Sycek trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sycek throws a big right hand that misses.
Sycek working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Esposito avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sycek is controlling him.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Esposito preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sycek working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sycek throws a big elbow that misses.
Sycek throws a big right hand that misses.
Sycek postures up in Esposito's guard and throws a big left but Esposito blocks it.
Esposito wants to stand and escape but Sycek is having none of it.
Sycek throws a big right hand that misses.
Sycek working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sycek throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sycek works over Esposito with some ground and pound from guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito pushes Sycek off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Esposito clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Esposito creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Esposito.
Esposito tries to work over Sycek's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sycek goes for a takedown in the clinch but Esposito prevents it.
Esposito misses with a short punch on the inside.
Esposito gets underhooks to prevent Sycek's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Sycek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esposito lands a shoulder strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Esposito takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Sycek blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Samuel Sycek will probably get the nod.
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.
Esposito throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sycek moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sycek looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Esposito throws a head kick that misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sycek.
Esposito closes the distance and pushes Sycek back into the cage.
Esposito throws a punch but it's blocked by Sycek.
Esposito misses with the head strike.
Sycek jumps guard but Esposito turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Sycek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito has Sycek pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Esposito misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Esposito.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito working aggressively here.
A short right from Esposito on the inside.
Esposito fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Esposito throws an elbow that misses.
Esposito lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Esposito working aggressively here.
Sycek pulls guard successfully.
Esposito gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Esposito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sycek attempts a counter takedown but Esposito avoids it well and moves away.
Esposito tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Esposito misses with a few strikes there.
Sycek shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Esposito sprawls well. Esposito wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sycek gets slowly back to his feet.
Despite the aggression on Esposito's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sycek looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Esposito is fending him off so far but Sycek persists. Nope, Esposito circles away and we're back to standing.
Esposito lands with a kick to the ribs.
Some wild striking there from Esposito.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito thumps Sycek with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esposito looks to land a left hand but Sycek moved out of range nicely.
Esposito throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sycek.
Sycek closes the distance and clinches up with Esposito, looking for a takedown. Sycek pushes Esposito against the cage but Esposito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Esposito lands a high kick!
Sycek looks for a takedown but Esposito sprawls well.
Esposito connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Esposito gets a clinch.
Sycek is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Esposito to keep the fight standing.
Esposito makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Esposito lands a right hand.
Esposito misses with a knee to the head.
Esposito lands with a short shot to the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito avoiding damage.
Esposito tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sycek avoids it.
Esposito misses with a body punch.
Esposito holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Esposito lands a right hand.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sycek as Esposito tries to tie him up.
Esposito softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Esposito lands a nice uppercut.
Esposito content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Esposito throws a head punch that misses.
A short body shot lands from Esposito as the two fighters clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito scores with a shot to the side of Sycek's head.
Sycek is working for takedown but Esposito is calmly controlling the position for now.
Esposito tries to throw a body punch but Sycek avoids it by throwing Esposito back against the cage.
Sycek drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Esposito lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Esposito tries a body shot but Sycek blocks it.
A short uppercut from Esposito.
Esposito stalling in the clinch.
Esposito throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sycek.
Esposito taking a breather.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Leonardo Esposito showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sycek's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.
Sycek darts in looking for a takedown but Esposito gets double underhooks and turns Sycek into the cage.
Esposito misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sycek blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sycek drags the fight down to the ground.
Esposito wanted to stand there but Sycek had control of the position.
Sycek lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito wants to get back to his feet but Sycek is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sycek accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Samuel Sycek overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sycek postures up in Esposito's guard and throws a big left but Esposito blocks it.
Esposito wants to get back to his feet but Sycek is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sycek works over Esposito with some ground and pound from guard.
Esposito uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Esposito misses with a hook.
Sycek looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Esposito is fending him off so far but Sycek persists. Nope, Esposito circles away and we're back to standing.
Esposito throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sycek is looking to counter the offense by Esposito and move into the clinch.
Sycek is trying hard to land a takedown here. Esposito sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Sycek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito throws a hook but Sycek avoids it easily.
Esposito has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Sycek dodges the punch combination from Esposito.
A head kick misses from Esposito.
Sycek has a takedown stuffed.
Sycek shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Esposito but Esposito pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sycek dives in for a single leg takedown but Esposito sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Esposito misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sycek prevents a body shot from Esposito.
Sycek blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Esposito taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Esposito tries to land knees in the clinch but Sycek avoids the damage to the body.
Esposito working aggressively here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short uppercut from Esposito.
Sycek drops down looking for an ankle pick but Esposito pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sycek changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Esposito tries to avoid it but Sycek manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Esposito to the ground. Esposito escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A nice side step and Esposito releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Sycek looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Esposito closes the distance and clinches.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Esposito struggles to land a body shot inside as Sycek controls his hands.
Esposito misses with a knee strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Esposito.
Sycek tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Esposito just stands there and leans against the cage.
Esposito softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Esposito lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sycek backwards.
Esposito goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Esposito tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Esposito swings wildly with an uppercut but Sycek uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sycek blocks an uppercut.
Esposito swings wildly with an uppercut but Sycek uses good head movement to avoid it.
Esposito misses with a body punch.
Sycek blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Esposito misses with a body punch.
Sycek blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Esposito.
Esposito swings wildly with an uppercut but Sycek uses good head movement to avoid it.
Esposito misses with some punches.
Sycek tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Esposito just stands there and leans against the cage.
Esposito misses with a knee strike.
And that's the end of the fight!
Leonardo Esposito comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Esposito 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leonardo Esposito!
Leonardo Esposito decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
45% |
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