PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gary Finkler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emerson Sheik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gary Finkler had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Finkler
vs
Sheik

170 cm
26
160 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gary Finkler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Emerson Sheik!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Emerson Jorge and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick from Sheik misses.
Finkler takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Finkler has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sheik finds it's way round the side to connect with Finkler's head.
Finkler gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sheik counters with a series of strikes. Finkler will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sheik thuds a left hand into Finkler's body.
Sheik has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Jab, jab by Sheik - just one landing.
A head kick by Sheik misses

and Finkler holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Finkler jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sheik walks away with a smile on his face. Finkler gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Emerson Sheik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Finkler slips a jab and a cross from Sheik.
Sheik misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sheik tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sheik misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Finkler.
Some wild striking there from Sheik.
Finkler drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sheik sprawls and moves away.
Emerson Sheik is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheik lands a jab to Finkler's midsection.
Sheik moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Finkler moves out of range of the body kick from Sheik.
Finkler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sheik as he jumps to the side.
A countering left hand to the body from Sheik misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Finkler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab, jab by Sheik - just one landing.
Sheik throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sheik throws a combination. Finkler tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Horrible takedown attempt by Finkler or perhaps it was just good defense by Sheik, which made it look bad.
Despite the aggression on Sheik's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sheik throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Finkler avoids the head kick by Sheik.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheik throws a nice looking combination but Finkler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No joy there for Sheik, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Finkler fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Sheik.
Nice shot lands for Sheik.
Sheik throws a looping overhand right but Finkler ducks down to avoid it.
Finkler avoids a punch combination nicely.

Finkler fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sheik, pushing him back against the cage.
Sheik is pressed up against the cage. Finkler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sheik down to the mat. Sheik avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Finkler dodges the punch combination from Sheik.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheik misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Finkler tries for a takedown but Sheik circles away easily
and Sheik counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Finkler thinking.
Finkler on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sheik tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Finkler takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sheik throws a nice looking combination but Finkler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Some wild striking there from Sheik.
Finkler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sheik throws a nice looking combination but Finkler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sheik lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A head kick misses from Sheik.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finkler slips a jab and a cross from Sheik.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finkler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sheik cracks Finkler with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Finkler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sheik sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Some wild striking there from Sheik.
Sheik pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Finkler manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sheik on his heels. He'll look to pass Sheik's guard now, I'm sure.
Sheik is looking to stand up but Finkler isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Finkler wants to control from the top but Sheik keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sheik throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Finkler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sheik tries a head kick but it misses.
Sheik lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Finkler circles away quickly and effectively.
Sheik wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Finkler shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sheik pushes Finkler off but Finkler dives into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Finkler tries for a kimura but Sheik is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sheik is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finkler trying to control the position but Sheik is working away.
Sloppy strikes there by Finkler.
Finkler taking a breather here.
Sheik has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sheik is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Finkler has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sheik tries to improve position but can't.
Sheik can't do much from the bottom here.
Check out the look on Finkler's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Finkler working the ground and pound.
Sheik manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Finkler is pressing down on Sheik's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Sheik stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Finkler goes for a double leg but Sheik avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sheik continues to drive forward.
Sheik scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Finkler tries to move into range but Sheik moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Finkler blocks a head kick by Sheik.
Finkler avoids the head kick by Sheik.
Sheik avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sheik keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheik's corner calls for a 1-2. Sheik obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Finkler tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sheik defends well and Finkler ends up having to push Sheik into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Finkler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sheik cracks a nice hook into Finkler's ribs.
Sheik swats away the attempt to clinch by Finkler.
Sheik cracks a nice hook into Finkler's ribs.
Sheik throws a right and a left that Finkler avoids nicely.
Sheik misses with a jab, cross combination.
Finkler avoids the head kick by Sheik.
Finkler appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Finkler dives in and grabs Sheik's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sheik pushes down on Finkler's head and hops out.
Finkler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Sheik misses.
Finkler drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sheik sprawls and moves away.
Sheik scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Finkler wants to clinch up but Sheik keeps it at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Finkler gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sheik controlling the action here for a moment.
Sheik misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Finkler.

Finkler breaks from the clinch.
Sheik looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Finkler is defended easily by Sheik.
Sheik lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emerson Sheik showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Finkler avoids the head kick by Sheik.
Finkler blocks a head kick by Sheik.
Some wild striking there from Sheik.
Emerson Sheik seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sheik misses with a body shot.
Sheik keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Finkler shoots in and drives through. Sheik sprawls well.
Finkler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sheik throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finkler jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sloppy strikes from Sheik. Those never looked like landing.
Sheik connects with a single shot there.
Sheik throws a sloppy head kick

and Finkler decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sheik's guard.

Sheik scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheik displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Finkler.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Finkler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Finkler avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sheik throws a head kick that misses.

Finkler clinches.
Finkler has Sheik pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sheik manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sheik wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sheik is trying to push Finkler away but Finkler has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Sheik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sheik lands a jab-cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheik looks to score with a jab to the body but Finkler is just out of range.
Finkler fails with a takedown attempt.
Sheik tries a head kick but it misses.

Finkler drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sheik takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finkler trying to control the position from guard on top but Sheik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Finkler's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sheik looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Finkler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Finkler tries to free his leg and advance position but Sheik is retaining full guard.
Finkler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finkler trying to control the position from guard on top but Sheik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sheik throws out a loose jab but Finkler uses good head movement to avoid it.
As Sheik looks to move away, Finkler throws a big counter combo bu Sheik just gets out of the way.
Sheik throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Finkler.
Sheik lands a two punch combo.
Some wild striking there from Sheik.
Finkler wants to clinch up but Sheik keeps it at a distance.
Finkler closes the distance and clinches up with Sheik, looking for a takedown. Finkler pushes Sheik against the cage but Sheik circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Finkler doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sheik moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheik swats away the attempt to clinch by Finkler.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sheik! But no joy.
Sheik lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Finkler shoots in for a double leg but Sheik sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A punch combination from Sheik misses.
Finkler swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Emerson Sheik is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sheik throws a series of punches but Finkler avoids them all with ease.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sheik throws a push kick but Finkler slaps the foot to one side.
Sheik pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Sheik. No joy for Finkler on that attempt.
Finkler shoots for a takedown but Sheik saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A nice side step and Sheik releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Finkler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gary Finkler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Finkler throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sheik's waist but Sheik gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Finkler off to one side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emerson Sheik comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sheik 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emerson Sheik!