ITFL - Individual Semi-finals PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tanner Pond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cody Lundin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pond comes into the arena with Stick To Your Guns - Agianst Them All blaring out of the sound system. The key to victory for Tanner Pond has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Pond
vs
Lundin

189 cm
19
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
165 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Good chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tanner Pond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cody Lundin!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Atkins and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pond just misses with a punch to the body.
Pond throws a looping overhand right but Lundin ducks down to avoid it.
Pond throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lundin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lundin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Pond misses with a looping right.
Pond uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lundin.
Lundin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pond paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lundin throws a leg kick
and Pond counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lundin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lundin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lundin checks the leg kick.
Lundin throws a push kick but Pond slaps the foot to one side.
Lundin slips under a jab.
Pond keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lundin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pond as he jumps to the side.
Lundin walks into a stiff left hand from Pond.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lundin moves into range and clinches up with Pond.
Pond misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lundin is struggling to control the position.
A short left from Lundin.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lundin.
Pond misses with the head strike.
Lundin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lundin prevents a body shot from Pond.
Pond is trying to push Lundin away but Lundin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pond goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pond goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pond lands a hook that snaps the head of Lundin backwards.
Pond is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pond tries to work over Lundin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Lundin on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lundin as Pond tries to tie him up.
Lundin swings wildly with an uppercut but Pond uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pond throws a head punch that misses.
Lundin stalling against the cage.
Pond struggles to land a body shot inside as Lundin controls his hands.
Lundin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lundin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pond pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tanner Pond has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cody Lundin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lundin walks into a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lundin moves out of range of the body kick from Pond.
Pond uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lundin.
Tanner Pond is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lundin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pond is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Pond misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Pond tries to sprawl but Lundin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Pond is trying to maintain the position but Lundin is very close to passing his half guard.

Lundin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lundin wants to control but Pond is keeping him busy.
Pond trying to hold on to Lundin's head to control him but Lundin postures up.
Lundin moves nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pond wants to control but Lundin postures up.
Pond is looking to reverse the position.
Lundin taking a breather here.
Lundin works to advance to full mount. Pond defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pond tries to hold on but Lundin pushes him away.
Lundin lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Pond hang on?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pond is trying desperately to improve position.
Pond knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lundin on the ground.
Lundin has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Pond's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cody Lundin will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lundin misses the shot to the body.
A jab lands there for Lundin.
Lundin swings for the body but Pond moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Pond - just one landing.
Pond fails to land with a series of punches.
Pond takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lundin slips under a jab.
A good leg kick by Lundin.
Pond throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pond takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Pond misses with the combination.
Tanner Pond is winning the standup battle so far.
Lundin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pond avoids the body shot from Lundin.
Lundin misses with an uppercut.
An inside leg kick lands from Lundin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Pond finds it's way through Lundin's defenses.
Pond slips a jab from Lundin.
Lundin goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lundin misses with a straight left.
The fighters circling - Lundin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
That kick from Lundin tenderised Pond's leg. Pond is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lundin throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Pond ducks under a wild hook from Lundin.
Lundin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lundin throws a leg kick
and Pond connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lundin scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lundin tries to clinch there but Pond circles away.
Pond is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A good leg kick by Lundin.
Pond is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Pond lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
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!
Good exchange - Pond coming out on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pond moves out of range of the strikes.
A leg kick checked by Pond.
Lundin misses with a low kick.
Pond moves out of range of the leg kick from Lundin.
Lundin shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sloppy strikes from Pond. Those never looked like landing.

Lundin moves into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Lundin.
Lundin has Pond pressed against the cage, preventing Pond from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A shot in the inside from Pond.
Pond looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pond trying to control the position but instead, Lundin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pond into the cage.
Lundin lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pond misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pond tries to circle away but Lundin has him pinned against the cage.
A short uppercut from Lundin.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lundin.
Pond throws a punch but it's blocked by Lundin.
A right hook to the body lands for Pond.
Pond misses with some punches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Pond misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pond tries to circle away but Lundin has him pinned against the cage.
Lundin taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lundin lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Pond fails to land.
Pond prevents a body shot from Lundin.
Lundin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pond misses with some punches.
Pond tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lundin's elbow.
Pond fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pond tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lundin's elbow.
Lundin prevents a body shot from Pond.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lundin is stalling here.
Pond has had enough of the clinch but Lundin keeps him there for the moment.
Pond tries to stall but Lundin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cody Lundin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Pond lands a glancing blow to the side of Lundin's head.
That kick from Lundin tenderised Pond's leg. Pond is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lundin misses with a body shot.
Lundin tries to bum rush Pond with a series of wild strikes but Pond uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pond slips a jab from Lundin.
Lundin connects with the punch.
Pond avoids the body shot from Lundin.
Lundin connects with a body shot that sends Pond's belly button to the back.
Pond keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pond bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lundin misses with a body shot.
Lundin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Pond lands a nice hook to Lundin's body. Lundin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Lundin throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pond tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lundin is in Pond's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pond looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pond is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pond wants to control the position but Lundin says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Pond is looking for a sweep. Lundin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lundin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pond trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Lundin manages to pass to mount!
Lundin thowing shots but they're missing.
Pond wants to control but Lundin is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lundin punishing his opponent with strikes.
Cody Lundin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lundin tries to control but Pond wriggling away.
Lundin breaks from Pond's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lundin lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Pond hang on?
Pond wants to control but Lundin is having none of it.
Pond tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lundin controlling from mount.
Pond takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pond is squirming around, avoiding Lundin's attempts to control the action.
Lundin thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Pond is wriggling around trying to escape.
Lundin throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Lundin looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pond is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lundin dominating with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lundin tries to control but Pond wriggling away.
Cody Lundin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lundin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Pond really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tanner Pond has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lundin landing shots from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pond tries to hold on but Lundin pushes him away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lundin putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

And that's the end of the fight!
Cody Lundin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lundin 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cody Lundin!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
77%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergiy Sklyar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Sebastien Veron (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sklyar comes to the cage accompanied by Scarface - No Tears. Veron has chosen The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Sklyar
vs
Sebastien Veron

160 cm
29
140 lbs
25 - 6 - 1

186 cm
26
184 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

The Big Kabosh
Reaper Combatwear

Reaper Combatwear
KAISER Nutrition (160!)

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 25 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Sergiy Sklyar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Juan Sebastien Veron!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veron cracks Sklyar with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sklyar throws the left hand but Veron avoids the punch easily.
Veron thuds his right hand into Sklyar's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sklyar changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Veron tries to avoid it but Sklyar manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Veron to the ground. Veron escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Veron misses the shot to the body.
Sklyar is trying hard to land a takedown here. Veron sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sklyar lands a nice shot to the body.
Sklyar lunges at Veron with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Veron's hand.
Sklyar lands a jab.
Veron shoots in for a takedown but Sklyar shows good takedown defense.
Sklyar fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergiy Sklyar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Veron closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sklyar's guard.
Veron trying to control the position from guard on top but Sklyar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Veron is looking to work some ground and pound but Sklyar has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sklyar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Veron trying to control but Sklyar is working from the bottom.
Veron seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Juan Sebastien Veron.
Sklyar catches Veron with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Veron slips a straight right by Sklyar.
Veron tests Sklyar's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sklyar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Veron connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sklyar momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veron lands a jab.
Sklyar lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Veron throws a sloppy head kick and Sklyar moves out of range easily.
Sklyar lands a jab.
Sklyar throws a solid leg kick but Veron takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sklyar.

Veron closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sklyar to the mat! Sklyar manages to get full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sklyar is trying to keep Veron in close.
Veron wants to control from the top but Sklyar keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veron missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Veron is looking to work some ground and pound but Sklyar has wrist control.
Sklyar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Good shot there by Veron.
Sklyar lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A swing and a miss from Veron.
Sklyar scores with a body shot.
Sklyar shoots in for a double leg but Veron sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sklyar misses with an uppercut.
Veron fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sklyar.
Sklyar takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar misses with a leg kick.
Veron looks to throw the jab but Sklyar is out of range.
Sklyar fails to land the takedown.
Sklyar scores with a jab to the head.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Veron - that will leave a mark!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Veron throws a hook to the side of Sklyar's head but Sklyar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sklyar misses with a body kick.
Veron has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Veron lands with a thumping leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Veron.
Veron scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sklyar. That's going to slow Veron down.
Sklyar connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Veron gets the takedown into side control.
Veron controls the position from side control.
Veron wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sklyar keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Sebastien Veron dominated that round.
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.

Veron wants to slow Sklyar down by chopping away at his legs.
Sklyar scoring well with a low kick there.
Veron throws a looping overhand right but Sklyar ducks down to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Sklyar.
Sklyar looks to land a right hand but Veron moved out of range.
Veron swings for the body but Sklyar moves out of range.
Sklyar cracks the inside of Veron's front leg.
Veron throws out a loose jab but Sklyar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Veron takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Sklyar closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Veron did well to prevent Sklyar getting side control.
Veron is looking to improve his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sklyar lands a nice short elbow.
Veron keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sklyar stalling away here and it's allowed Veron to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sklyar won't allow Veron to sweep him here.
Sklyar is working Veron over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sklyar is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Veron is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Veron 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.
Veron pulls Sklyar in close to prevent any damage.
Sklyar tries to free his leg and advance position but Veron is retaining full guard.
Veron trying to keep a closed guard but Sklyar is proving a slippery customer.
Veron keeping moving, preventing Sklyar from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Juan Sebastien Veron hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Veron connects with a nice looking jab.
Sklyar throws a nice inside leg kick.

Sklyar drives through with a takedown into Veron's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veron not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sklyar stopping the sweep attempt from Veron.

Veron has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sklyar is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Veron.
Sklyar trying to control the action but Veron is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veron is trying to control Sklyar's posture but Sklyar avoids it.
Juan Sebastien Veron has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sklyar creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Veron sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sklyar scores with punches from side control.
Sklyar cracks Veron with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sklyar 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.
Veron sneaks back into half guard.
Veron wants to get back to full guard.
Sklyar is trying to control. Veron wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar misses with a head shot. Veron uses the momentum to regain guard.
Sklyar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sklyar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Veron pulls Sklyar in close to his closed guard and prevents Sklyar from doing any damage or advancing position.

Sklyar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Veron has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sklyar has managed to get both his arms back between Veron's legs - danger averted.
Sklyar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veron keeping moving, preventing Sklyar from controlling successfully.
Veron controls Sklyar momentarily but Sklyar frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiy Sklyar dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sklyar scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Veron waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sklyar.
Veron throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sklyar on the side of the head.
Sklyar shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Veron pinned against the cage. Veron gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sklyar lands a nice hook to Veron's body. Veron takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Veron jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sklyar looks to land a body kick but Veron moved away.
Sklyar checks a leg kick nicely.
Veron fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sklyar manages to avoid it.
Sklyar throws a lazy right hand but Veron sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Veron gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sklyar might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sklyar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sklyar stopping the sweep attempt from Veron.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veron preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sklyar stands up over Veron, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sklyar content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sklyar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sklyar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sklyar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sklyar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Veron looking for a sweep. Not yet Veron, not yet.

Veron has his foot on Sklyar's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sklyar works his way back into a safe position though.
Sklyar throws an elbow that misses. Veron uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sklyar's guard. Nice move by Veron!
Veron throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sklyar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar is adopting a defensive guard.
Sklyar is trying to keep Veron in close.
Veron working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veron trying to control but Sklyar is working from the bottom.
Sklyar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Sergiy Sklyar wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Sklyar throws a jab when Veron was well out of range.
Veron connects with a jab.
Juan Sebastien Veron seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab lands there for Veron.
Sklyar lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Veron shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sklyar flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sklyar seems keen to control Veron's posture.
Veron trying to control the position from guard on top but Sklyar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sklyar keeping full guard, as Veron tries to pass.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veron passes easily into side control. Nice work.

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 Sergiy Sklyar.
I think Sklyar 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Sebastien Veron!
During a confident post fight interview, Juan Sebastien Veron thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
68%

Main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tweedle Dee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dee is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Chumbawamba - Tubthumping. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Esposito
vs
Dee

178 cm
34
178 lbs
42 - 13 - 0

180 cm
30
195 lbs
32 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
Sex Panther Supplements!

The Big Kabosh
KAISER Nutrition (160!)

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 42 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Frank Esposito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Tweedle Dee!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, William Gold and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dee lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Frank Esposito has been cut.
Esposito looks to land a right hand but Dee moved out of range.
Esposito takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Esposito lands with a thumping leg kick.
Dee moves out of range of the strikes.
A lazy body kick from Esposito

and Dee counters with a single leg into guard. Esposito didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Dee in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dee tries to free his leg and advance position but Esposito is retaining full guard.
Dee has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dee controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Dee works over Esposito with some ground and pound from guard.

Esposito is rocked!
Dee postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Oh Esposito is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Dee throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Esposito seems to have got his legs back now.
Dee stands and throws Esposito's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dee with the ground and pound but Esposito regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Dee is trying to control. Esposito wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Dee throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dee throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Esposito to regain full guard.
Dee engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Dee throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esposito works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Dee from controlling successfully.
Dee looking to sit in guard and control but Esposito gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Dee working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Esposito doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Esposito manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Dee escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Esposito gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esposito avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dee throws his legs up looking for a submission but Esposito uses it to pass to side control.
Dee tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito trying to control the action but Dee is working from the bottom.
Dee is looking to regain half guard here but Esposito keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dee struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tweedle Dee dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Frank Esposito's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Esposito uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dee.
Dee throws a low kick, looking for Esposito's leg but Esposito calmly moves out of range.
Dee circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dee throws a low kick but it's checked well by Esposito.
Esposito throws a leg kick which misses Dee's front leg but catches the back leg as Dee tries to avoid it.
Esposito ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Esposito lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Esposito displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dee throws out the jab.
Dee takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dee throws a push kick but Esposito slaps the foot to one side.
Dee swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dee throws a hook but Esposito avoids it easily.
Dee throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Dee on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esposito. Esposito obviously looking to wear him down.
Dee looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esposito takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Esposito throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dee moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Dee chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Esposito can pounce on him.
Dee throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dee looks to throw the jab but Esposito is out of range.
Esposito moves out of range as Dee throws a body kick.
Esposito tries to land a front kick but Dee steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Esposito buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Esposito on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Dee misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Esposito counters with a nice low kick that buckles Dee's knee momentarily.
Jab, jab by Dee - just one landing.
Dee looks for the body kick but Esposito saw that one coming.
Esposito misses with a body shot.
Esposito ducks under a wild hook from Dee.
Esposito swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dee throws a leg kick
and Esposito counters with a slapping leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick from Dee misses
and Esposito counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito throws a leg kick which misses Dee's front leg but catches the back leg as Dee tries to avoid it.
Esposito misses with a kick to the body.
A solid body kick from Esposito.
Dee takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Dee misses with a body shot
and Esposito counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dee throws a chopping leg kick but Esposito manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Esposito walks into a stiff left hand from Dee.
Dee just misses with a punch to the body.
Dee tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esposito was well out of range. Poor timing from Dee.
Dee tries to work over Esposito's front leg with a kick but Esposito checks it.
Esposito blocks a jab.
Esposito takes one to the side of the head.
Dee throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dee pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Esposito throws a leg kick but Dee sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Esposito throws the kick towards the body but Dee avoids it.
Esposito motions for Dee to come forward. Esposito throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dee misses with a wild body shot.
Esposito misses with a straight right.
Frank Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dee throws a low kick but Esposito moves out of range easily.
Dee scores with a decent looking hook.
Dee misses with a looping right.
Esposito stuffs the takedown.
Esposito feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Dees jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Good leg kick by Esposito there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Esposito gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dee blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dee lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Dee's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dee blocks a body shot from Esposito.
Dee doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Dee drags the fight down to the ground.
Esposito has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Esposito wants to pass the guard but Dee is keeping the position.
Dee manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esposito holds on to Dee as tight as he can, avoiding damage.
Esposito regains half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dee perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tweedle Dee will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Frank Esposito's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A solid leg kick lands there for Esposito.
Dee on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esposito. Esposito obviously looking to wear him down.
Nice shot by Esposito.
Esposito gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Esposito lands a nice looking body kick.
Dee ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esposito moves away.
A clash of legs there as Esposito blocks the low kick.
Dee is looking to land body kicks.
Dee feints and then cracks Esposito's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Esposito down.
A bone on bone clash there as Esposito blocks the leg kick.
Esposito takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Dee darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dee punishes Esposito's body with a nice straight punch.
Esposito throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Esposito fails in his attempt to clinch.
Esposito thumps Dee with a low kick.
Dee lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito moves into range and connects with a jab.
Esposito ducks under a wild hook from Dee.
Dee looks to throw the jab but Esposito is out of range.
Dee digs a good hook to Esposito's body.
Esposito looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Some wild striking there from Esposito.
Esposito wants to land a leg kick but Dee is out of range.
Dee thows a left - swing and a miss!
Esposito scores with a hook to the body. Dee takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Dee looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Esposito misses with a leg kick.
Esposito moves out of range of the strikes.
Dee swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Esposito connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Dee momentarily.
Dee shoots in for a takedown but Esposito shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Frank Esposito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Esposito just misses with a punch to the body.
Dee tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Esposito swivels and escapes.
Dee has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Esposito.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dee throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Esposito wants to clinch.
Esposito misses with a kick to the body.
Dee thows a leg kick but Esposito checks it
and Esposito counters with a low kick, right behind Dee 's knee.
Dee lands a nice shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dee.
Tweedle Dee seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Esposito throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Esposito lands an overhand right.
Esposito throws out a leg kick but Dee moves out of range and Esposito only half commits.
Dee fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito throws a leg kick but Dee checks it.
Esposito throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dee checks a leg kick.
Esposito tries to clinch but Dee moves out of range.
Dee jabs at Esposito's body.
Esposito throws a looping overhand right but Dee ducks down to avoid it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Dee.
Dee tries to land a leg kick but Esposito saw it coming and moves away.
A jab lands there for Dee.
Esposito takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Esposito throws a leg kick but Dee sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Esposito avoids the body shot from Dee.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Esposito.
Dee avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Dee has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Esposito.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dee misses with a hook to the body
and Esposito counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dee takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dee lands a right hook to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dee.
Esposito fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Esposito doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Dee turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dee feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Espositos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Dee darts in looking for a takedown but Esposito gets double underhooks and turns Dee into the cage.
Frank Esposito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tweedle Dee.

Dee escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Esposito lands with a nice body kick.
Esposito comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Dee walks forward, straight into a front kick from Esposito.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Esposito goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Esposito lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dee backs up against the cage.

It looks like Tweedle Dee has been cut.
Esposito misses with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Esposito showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dee 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tweedle Dee!
After the big win, Tweedle Dee made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.