PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Mairura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Sidnel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas Sidnel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mairura
vs
Sidnel

168 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
260 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, David Mairura !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thomas Sidnel!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sidnel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Mairura tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sidnel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mairura somewhat.
Sidnel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sidnel shoots in looking for a takedown but Mairura manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sidnel's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mairura shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sidnel defends it nicely.
Sidnel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mairura defends it nicely.
David Mairura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Sidnel.
Mairura changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sidnel tries to avoid it but Mairura manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sidnel to the ground. Sidnel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mairura slaps away a takedown attempt from Sidnel, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Mairura closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Mairura is trying to drag Sidnel to the mat but Sidnel just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mairura breaks from the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sidnel.
Sidnel shoots in but no luck this time.
Mairura fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mairura shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sidnel defends it nicely.
Sidnel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mairura circles away.
Sidnel looks winded!

Mairura has closed the distance and engaged Sidnel in a clinch.
Mairura is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mairura pulls Sidnel into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mairura pulls Sidnel in close to prevent any damage.

Mairura has his feet on Sidnel's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Mairura throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sidnel's waist but Sidnel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mairura off to one side.

Mairura clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Mairura .
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sidnel wants a takedown.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mairura trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sidnel prevents Mairura from breaking the clinch.
Mairura drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sidnel gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sidnel is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mairura is defending well.
Mairura wants to get back to striking at distance but Sidnel won't allow it.
Sidnel tries for a takedown but Mairura manages to get underhooks.
Mairura has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sidnel after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mairura tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mairura is trying to push Sidnel away but Sidnel has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mairura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sidnel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mairura is trying to push Sidnel away but Sidnel has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mairura tries for a takedown. No joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sidnel jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mairura walks away with a smile on his face. Sidnel gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mairura keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sidnel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mairura keeps the fight on the outside.
Sidnel stuffs the takedown attempt from Mairura . Mairura gets slowly back to his feet.
Sidnel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mairura as he jumps to the side.
Sidnel fails with the takedown.
Mairura changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sidnel tries to avoid it but Mairura manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sidnel to the ground. Sidnel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Mairura closes the distance and clinches.
Sidnel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
David Mairura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Sidnel.
Mairura stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Sidnel is breathing heavily.
Mairura is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sidnel gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sidnel wants to take the fight to the mat but Mairura manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mairura tries to circle away but Sidnel has him pinned against the cage.
Mairura tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mairura tries for a takedown but Sidnel manages to get underhooks.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mairura prevents the takedown attempt.
Mairura is pressed up against the cage. Sidnel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mairura down to the mat. Mairura avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mairura .
Sidnel shoots in and drives through. Mairura sprawls well.
Thomas Sidnel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mairura shoots in looking for a takedown. Sidnel tries to sprawl out of it but Mairura keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sidnel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A clash of legs there as Sidnel blocks the low kick.
Mairura changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sidnel tries to avoid it but Mairura manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sidnel to the ground. Sidnel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sidnel leaves Mairura with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Mairura takes the fight into the clinch.
Mairura has Sidnel pushed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mairura has had enough of the clinch but Sidnel keeps him there for the moment.

Sidnel pulls guard.

Sidnel has his foot on Mairura 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mairura works his way back into a safe position though.

Sidnel wriggles free and stands up.
Mairura lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sidnel tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mairura defends well and Sidnel ends up having to push Mairura into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sidnel letting Mairura take a breather here.
Mairura is working for takedown but Sidnel is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mairura 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mairura fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sidnel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mairura keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mairura throws a leg kick but Sidnel checks it.
Mairura tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sidnel swivels and escapes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mairura shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sidnel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mairura 's waist but Mairura gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sidnel off to one side.
Mairura clobbers Sidnel with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mairura moves into the clinch successfully.
Mairura is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mairura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Mairura dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mairura moves into the clinch.
Mairura wants to break free but Sidnel has control.
Mairura wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mairura tries to pull guard but Sidnel forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mairura is pressed up against the cage. Sidnel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mairura down to the mat. Mairura avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mairura displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sidnel.
Sidnel shoots in but Mairura avoids the takedown attempt easily.
David Mairura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Sidnel.
Mairura throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sidnel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mairura shoots in but Sidnel avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mairura fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mairura fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sidnel shoots in for a takedown but Mairura shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mairura fails with a takedown attempt.
Mairura misses with a head kick.
Sidnel shoots in for a double leg but Mairura sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mairura with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Mairura closes the distance and clinches.
Mairura lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mairura drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sidnel pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sidnel tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mairura swivels and escapes.
David Mairura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Mairura .
Mairura misses with a head kick.

Sidnel decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mairura wants to control but Sidnel is keeping busy.
Mairura has his hands clasped together around Sidnel's back. He's all about the action.
Sidnel works his foot free and advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sidnel is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Mairura is surviving well by controlling Sidnel's body position as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mairura wants to control but Sidnel is having none of it.
Mairura throwing hammer fists to the chest of Sidnel. What's that going to do exactly?
Mairura is trying desperately to improve position.

Sidnel is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Mairura to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Mairura shrugs it off.
Mairura is trying to escape the mount.
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.
Mairura tries to hold on but Sidnel postures up.
Mairura sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Sidnel wants to work for an arm triangle but Mairura is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Mairura might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mairura wants to control but Sidnel is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sidnel is looking for a kimura but Mairura is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sidnel to get the leverage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to David Mairura .
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mairura , winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Mairura !