PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fred Siciliano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Rash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Rash has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Fred Siciliano's chin.

Siciliano
vs
Rash

177 cm
24
192 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

180 cm
23
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fred Siciliano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Matt Rash!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rash feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Siciliano's calf.
Siciliano ducks right into an uppercut from Rash.
Siciliano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rash paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rash. Siciliano does a little dance to reset his feet.

Siciliano moves into the clinch successfully.
Stalling in the clinch from Siciliano.
Rash tries a body shot but Siciliano blocks it.
Rash taking a breather.

Siciliano works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Rash looking to hit a scissor sweep but Siciliano is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Siciliano advances to half guard.

Siciliano is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rash has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rash blocking the ground and pound attempt from Siciliano.
Rash controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Siciliano is working for a kimura but Rash is defending it quite comfortably.
Siciliano throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Rash is defending against the submission attempts here by Siciliano.
Siciliano wants to advance to full mount but Rash doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Rash wants to stand and escape but Siciliano is having none of it.
Siciliano 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.
Rash is trying to keep Siciliano in close.

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.

Siciliano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Siciliano drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rash looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rash looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rash!
Siciliano takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Siciliano is being controlled here.
Siciliano is looking for a sweep.
Siciliano manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rash's best efforts.
Siciliano has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rash is working away from the top position though.
Siciliano regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rash looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rash's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Siciliano keeping moving, preventing Rash from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matt Rash was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Siciliano swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Siciliano tries to clinch up but Rash circles away and keeps his distance.
Rash throws a body punch but Siciliano moves out of range.
Siciliano wants to clinch up but Rash keeps it at a distance.
Siciliano lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A cross from Rash lands.
Rash looks to score with a jab to the body but Siciliano is just out of range.

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.
Rash swings for the body but Siciliano moves out of range.
Siciliano throws a right hand that Rash ducks under and follows up with a left that Rash also avoids with ease.
Siciliano looks to score with a jab to the body but Rash is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rash. Siciliano does a little dance to reset his feet.
Siciliano doesn't manage to clinch there - Rash circles away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Siciliano!
Rash defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Siciliano.
Rash takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rash is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Siciliano rather than just go for the knockout.
Siciliano tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rash counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Siciliano looks to clinch
and Siciliano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Siciliano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rash counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rash throws out a loose jab but Siciliano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rash takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rash tests Siciliano's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fred Siciliano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Siciliano tries to clinch up.
Rash digs a good hook to Siciliano's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Siciliano misses with a leg kick.
Rash takes a swing at Siciliano's ribcage but misses.
Rash lands with an overhand left.
Siciliano throws a series of punches but Rash moves out of range.
Siciliano fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rash has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Siciliano throws a sloppy head kick and Rash moves out of range easily.

Rash gets tackled into the cage by Siciliano. Siciliano maintains the clinch.
Rash is trying to stall.
Siciliano drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rash pulls his leg out and moves away.
Siciliano tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Rash counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Siciliano keeping full guard, as Rash tries to pass.
Siciliano trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Siciliano is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rash defends well.
Rash wants to pass the guard but Siciliano is keeping the position.
Rash really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Siciliano. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rash preventing the sweep.

Siciliano is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rash defends well.
Siciliano wants to sweep but no luck.
Siciliano keeping moving, preventing Rash from controlling successfully.
Siciliano throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rash preventing the sweep.
Rash postures up.
Siciliano is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Siciliano avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rash controlling from the top position.

Fred Siciliano has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A combination from Siciliano does no damage.
Siciliano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rash swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Siciliano wants to clinch but Rash slips to the side
enabling Rash to counter with a crisp jab.
Siciliano throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rash misses with a body shot

and Siciliano holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Siciliano breaks the clinch.
Siciliano is looking to clinch.
Siciliano moves to clinch but Rash breaks away
enabling Rash to counter with a crisp jab.
Rash pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rash darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rash scores with a jab to the body.
Siciliano is looking to clinch.
Siciliano thumps Rash with a low kick.
Rash looks to score with a jab to the body but Siciliano is just out of range.
Siciliano tries to clinch up.
Rash just misses with a punch to the body.
Siciliano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Rash manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rash ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Siciliano moves away.
Rash looks to score with a jab to the body but Siciliano is just out of range.
Siciliano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rash swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Siciliano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rash keeps the fight on the outside.
Siciliano on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Siciliano misses with a wild body shot.

Siciliano closes the distance and clinches.
Siciliano looking for a takedown.
Nice body punch from Rash.
Siciliano prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rash can't find room to land a body shot as Siciliano controls the action.
Rash is trying to maintain a safe position but Siciliano gets an underhook and turns Rash into the cage.
Siciliano is stalling here.

Siciliano has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Rash regains guard immediately.
Siciliano controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Siciliano preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matt Rash will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Rash lands a nice looking body shot.
Rash keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rash circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rash makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rash scores with a jab to the body.
Rash circles away from the clinch attempt.
Siciliano wants to clinch but Rash slips to the side
enabling Rash to counter with a crisp jab.
Siciliano misses with a low kick.
Siciliano on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rash swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Siciliano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rash.
Siciliano tries to clinch but Rash moves away
and Rash counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rash just misses with a punch to the body.
Siciliano moves away from the strike by Rash.
Rash misses the shot to the body.
Siciliano tries to clinch but Rash is having none of it.
Rash circles away from the clinch attempt.

Siciliano clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Siciliano swings wildly with an uppercut but Rash uses good head movement to avoid it.
Siciliano goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rash prevents it.
Siciliano lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rash is working Siciliano over against the cage.
Rash prevents the takedown attempt.
Siciliano working hard to break the clinch.
Rash gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Siciliano.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fred Siciliano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Siciliano is trying to drag Rash to the mat but Rash just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Siciliano works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rash is on top in guard.
Siciliano keeping moving, preventing Rash from controlling successfully.
Fred Siciliano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rash is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Siciliano 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.
Fred Siciliano overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rash trying to control but Siciliano is working from the bottom.

Siciliano throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Siciliano looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rash is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Siciliano is trying to control the position but Rash postures up.
Rash pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Siciliano is keeping the position for now.
Siciliano trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Siciliano is looking to clinch.
Rash keeps the fight on the outside.
Rash misses the shot to the body.

Siciliano gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rash to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Siciliano controls Rash momentarily but Rash frees himself.
Rash missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Siciliano manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Siciliano throws some wild stikes that Rash manages to avoid easily.
Rash is working to get back to half guard.
Siciliano avoids the attempt from Rash to control.
Siciliano with a couple of short strikes.
Siciliano lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rash hang on?
Siciliano lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Matt Rash is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rash tries to lock up and control but Siciliano gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matt Rash.
I've got Rash 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Rash!