PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ratanachai Sithbanprachan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yo Ko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ko has chosen You are. as his entrance music. Ratanachai Sithbanprachan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sithbanprachan
vs
Ko

170 cm
21
162 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

168 cm
25
160 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ratanachai Sithbanprachan!
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, Yo Ko!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sithbanprachan throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Yo Ko has been cut.
Some wild striking there from Sithbanprachan.
Ko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ko is looking to clinch.

Ko instigates a clinch.
Sithbanprachan trying to land knees to the body.
Sithbanprachan working hard to break the clinch.
Sithbanprachan prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sithbanprachan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Knees to the body from Sithbanprachan.
Sithbanprachan tries a knee to the head but Ko blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sithbanprachan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ko is defending well for now.
Ko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ko prevents a body shot from Sithbanprachan.
Sithbanprachan gets underhooks to prevent Ko's takedown attempt.
Ratanachai Sithbanprachan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yo Ko.
Ko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ko.
Ko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sithbanprachan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sithbanprachan napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ko controlling from side mount.
Ko wants to control but Sithbanprachan is keeping him busy.
Ko slows the pace down.
Sithbanprachan is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ko is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ko tries to advance to mount but can't.
Sithbanprachan tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Ko presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Ko controlling the pace for now.
Ko looking to finish Sithbanprachan with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sithbanprachan!
Sithbanprachan keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ko controlling the position easily from mount.
Sithbanprachan is controlling an arm, preventing Ko from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sithbanprachan has given up his back. Will we see Ko going for some submissions?
You can see the frustration on Sithbanprachan's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Ko is riding his opponent, not letting Sithbanprachan buck him off.
Sithbanprachan trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ko is looking to control Sithbanprachan but Sithbanprachan is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sithbanprachan has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yo Ko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yo Ko's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ko instigates a clinch.
We've been informed that Ko has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Ko is working for takedown but Sithbanprachan is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sithbanprachan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sithbanprachan is defending well.
Sithbanprachan gets underhooks to prevent Ko's takedown attempt.
Ratanachai Sithbanprachan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yo Ko.
Ko goes for a takedown attempt but Sithbanprachan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ko moves in looking to clinch but Sithbanprachan pushes him off.
Ko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ko tries to clinch up.
Ko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sithbanprachan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ko shoots in for a takedown but Sithbanprachan shows good takedown defense.
Sithbanprachan throws a sloppy head kick and Ko moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Sithbanprachan.
Ko darts in looking for a takedown but Sithbanprachan gets double underhooks and turns Ko into the cage.

Ko wants the takedown. Sithbanprachan is fighting it off but Ko persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Sithbanprachan's guard against the cage.
Sithbanprachan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ko is one step ahead there.
Sithbanprachan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ko sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sithbanprachan is trying to keep Ko in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ko is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ratanachai Sithbanprachan wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sithbanprachan lands a head kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ko shoots in and drives through. Sithbanprachan sprawls well.
Ko tries to clinch there but Sithbanprachan circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Sithbanprachan as Ko shoots in.

Ko moves into the clinch.
Ko is working for takedown but Sithbanprachan is calmly controlling the position for now.
Knees to the body from Sithbanprachan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sithbanprachan is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Ko tries for a takedown but Sithbanprachan manages to get underhooks.
Sithbanprachan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ko is defending well for now.
Ko throws an elbow that misses.
Ko avoiding damage as Sithbanprachan throws knees to the body.
Ko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sithbanprachan after a bit of a struggle.
Sithbanprachan stops a takedown attempt from Ko.
Ko goes for a takedown attempt but Sithbanprachan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sithbanprachan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ko momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ko shoots in for a takedown but Sithbanprachan shows good takedown defense.
Ko gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sithbanprachan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ko shoots for a takedown but Sithbanprachan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ko takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ko misses with a takedown attempt - Sithbanprachan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sithbanprachan misses with a head kick.
Sithbanprachan misses with a head kick.
Ratanachai Sithbanprachan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sithbanprachan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Yo Ko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sithbanprachan tries a head kick but it misses.
Sithbanprachan throws a head kick but Ko moves out of range.
Ko avoids the head kick by Sithbanprachan.
Ko shoots in looking for a takedown but Sithbanprachan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ratanachai Sithbanprachan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yo Ko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ko gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sithbanprachan lands an elbow that stopped Ko in his tracks for a moment.
Sithbanprachan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ko wants to take the fight to the mat but Sithbanprachan manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sithbanprachan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ratanachai Sithbanprachan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yo Ko.
Sithbanprachan can't break the clinch.
Ko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sithbanprachan is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sithbanprachan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ko managing to block the knees to the body from Sithbanprachan.
Ko looking for a takedown.
Ko managing to block the knees to the body from Sithbanprachan.
Sithbanprachan trying to land knees to the body.
Sithbanprachan is trying to force a seperation but Ko has the dominant position.
Sithbanprachan landing knees to the body.

Ko lands a takedown into guard.
Sithbanprachan controls Ko momentarily but Ko frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sithbanprachan wants to stand and escape but Ko is having none of it.
Sithbanprachan trying to keep a closed guard but Ko is proving a slippery customer.
Ko is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ratanachai Sithbanprachan.

Sithbanprachan tries to keep at a distance but Ko has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sithbanprachan tries to land a knee to the head but Ko blocks with his arms.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ko is looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sithbanprachan with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sithbanprachan tries to land knees in the clinch but Ko avoids the damage to the body.
Ko wants a takedown but no success here.
Ko takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ko has Sithbanprachan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sithbanprachan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sithbanprachan tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sithbanprachan is defending well.
Ko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sithbanprachan pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ko tries to score a body lock takedown but Sithbanprachan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sithbanprachan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ko.
Sithbanprachan is trying to push Ko away but Ko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ko wants a takedown.
Ko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sithbanprachan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ko avoids it.
Ratanachai Sithbanprachan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sithbanprachan misses with a shot to the kidneys.

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 Ratanachai Sithbanprachan.
I think Sithbanprachan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ratanachai Sithbanprachan!
Our winner, Ratanachai Sithbanprachan, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Yo Ko was interviewed post fight and said 'I have shamed my people, I will now drink and contemplate suicide.'.