PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mark Sibayan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Engle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sibayan comes to the cage accompanied by Stand up and shout. Mark Sibayan looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Sibayan
vs
Engle

172 cm
19
150 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

190 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mark Sibayan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ryan Engle!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Patrick Alders and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Engle shoots for a takedown but Sibayan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Engle moves in looking to clinch but Sibayan pushes him off.
Engle shoots in looking for a takedown but Sibayan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Engle's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sibayan shoots in for a takedown but Engle shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Engle with that takedown attempt.
Mark Sibayan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Engle.
Engle shoots in looking for a takedown. Sibayan tries to sprawl out of it but Engle keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sibayan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Engle drives through and clinches with Sibayan against the cage.
Sibayan tries for a takedown. No joy.
Engle is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Sibayan gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Engle regains guard.
Sibayan is breathing heavily.
Engle is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Engle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engle is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Engle wants to sweep here but Sibayan controlling him for the moment.
Sibayan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Engle is keeping the position for now.

Engle looking for a guillotine here but Sibayan defends easily.

Sibayan 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.
Sibayan being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sibayan drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Engle manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sibayan has Engle in his guard.
Sibayan keeping moving, preventing Engle from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ryan Engle was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Engle tries to clinch but Sibayan moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sibayan dives in and grabs Engle's left leg, looking for a takedown. Engle pushes down on Sibayan's head and hops out.
Sibayan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mark Sibayan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Engle shoots in for a takedown but Sibayan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Engle is defended easily by Sibayan.
Engle misses with a takedown attempt - Sibayan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Engle is looking to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Engle.
Engle has a takedown stuffed.

Sibayan throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Engle was covering up waiting for the punch and Sibayan finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sibayan postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sibayan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sibayan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sibayan wants to pass the guard but Engle is keeping the position.
Sibayan stands and throws Engle's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Engle striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Engle tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sibayan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sibayan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Engle, who protects the arm well.
Engle struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mark Sibayan will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sibayan.
Engle stuffs the takedown attempt from Sibayan. Sibayan gets slowly back to his feet.
Engle tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sibayan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Engle somewhat.
Engle stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Engle wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Sibayan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Engle moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Engle lands a two punch combo.
Engle fails with a takedown attempt.
Engle shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engle tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sibayan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sibayan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Engle shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sibayan sprawls well. Sibayan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Engle gets slowly back to his feet.
Engle is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Engle misses with a head kick.
Sibayan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Engle tries to avoid it but Sibayan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Engle to the ground. Engle escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Engle fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Engle stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Engle wants it to stay on the feet.
Engle throws a head kick that misses.
No luck for Sibayan with that takedown attempt.
Engle looks for a takedown but Sibayan sprawls well.
Sibayan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Engle as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Engle throws a chopping leg kick but Sibayan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sibayan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sibayan shoots in for a takedown but Engle shows good takedown defense.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Engle.
Sibayan fails with a takedown attempt.
Engle tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sibayan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sibayan has a takedown stuffed.
Engle fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sibayan avoids the head kick by Engle.
Sibayan defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Engle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Engle closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sibayan circles away.

Sibayan shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Engle looking for submissions off his back.

Sibayan is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Sibayan is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Engle to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Engle has his hands on Sibayan's head, controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Engle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Sibayan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sibayan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sibayan drops back looking for a leg! Engle is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Engle manages to kick Sibayan off! Sibayan jumps back into Engle's guard.
Sibayan won't allow Engle to get back to his feet.
Sibayan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sibayan stopping the sweep attempt from Engle.

Engle has his foot on Sibayan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sibayan works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Engle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sibayan is defended easily by Engle.
Sibayan avoids the head kick by Engle.
Engle defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sibayan.
Engle digs a good hook to Sibayan's body.
Engle shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sibayan sprawls well. Sibayan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Engle gets slowly back to his feet.
Ryan Engle seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Engle fails with a takedown attempt.
Engle tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sibayan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sibayan shoots in for a double leg but Engle sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Sibayan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Engle looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sibayan is fending him off so far but Engle persists. Nope, Sibayan circles away and we're back to standing.
Sibayan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sibayan wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sibayan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Engle's waist but Engle gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sibayan off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sibayan shoots for a double leg takedown but Engle sprawls well. He's pushed Sibayan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sibayan shoots in for a takedown but Engle shows good takedown defense.
Engle fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Engle will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sibayan dives in and grabs Engle's left leg, looking for a takedown. Engle pushes down on Sibayan's head and hops out.
Engle shoots in for a takedown but Sibayan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Engle is defended easily by Sibayan.
Engle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sibayan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Engle tries to avoid it but Sibayan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Engle to the ground. Engle escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Engle closes the distance and clinches.
Sibayan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Engle prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sibayan is pressed up against the cage. Engle has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sibayan down to the mat. Sibayan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sibayan fails with a takedown attempt.
Engle's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Engle duly obliges.

Engle closes the distance and pushes Sibayan back into the cage.
Engle has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sibayan is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sibayan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Engle pulls him back up using the underhooks.
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!
Engle tries to pull guard but Sibayan holds him up against the cage and eventually Engle drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sibayan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Engle gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sibayan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Engle pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sibayan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Engle is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sibayan is controlling him.

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

Engle is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sibayan is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sibayan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sibayan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sibayan drops back looking for a leg! Engle is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Engle manages to kick Sibayan off! Sibayan jumps back into Engle's guard.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Engle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Engle 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Engle!