PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juaquin Bartolo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ecko Souvongkhamchanh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Bartolo
vs
Souvongkhamchanh

187 cm
21
184 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

▲Steel Penn Fight Gear - As Low As $4

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Juaquin Bartolo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ecko Souvongkhamchanh!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bartolo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Souvongkhamchanh tries to escape but Bartolo is in control.
Souvongkhamchanh is looking for a sweep.
Souvongkhamchanh is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Bartolo looks up at the clock and then as Souvongkhamchanh takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Bartolo smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Souvongkhamchanh tries to escape but Bartolo is in control.
Bartolo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Souvongkhamchanh on the ground.
Souvongkhamchanh is looking for a sweep.
Bartolo misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Souvongkhamchanh is looking for a sweep.
Bartolo lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Souvongkhamchanh down.
Bartolo in side control lands a decent elbow.
Souvongkhamchanh on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartolo lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Souvongkhamchanh down.
Check out the look on Bartolo's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Souvongkhamchanh is trying to buck Bartolo off.
Souvongkhamchanh looks gassed!
Bartolo working the head and body with strikes.
Souvongkhamchanh is looking for a sweep.
Bartolo prevents Souvongkhamchanh from escaping the position.
Souvongkhamchanh manages to get back to half guard.
Nice strikes from Bartolo there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartolo working Souvongkhamchanh over with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bartolo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Souvongkhamchanh with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bartolo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Bartolo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Bartolo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Souvongkhamchanh wants to improve his position but Bartolo is controlling well.
Bartolo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartolo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Souvongkhamchanh's head.
Bartolo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Souvongkhamchanh is pressing down on Bartolo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bartolo throws a strike but Souvongkhamchanh rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Bartolo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Souvongkhamchanh working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bartolo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Souvongkhamchanh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Souvongkhamchanh throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bartolo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Souvongkhamchanh working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Souvongkhamchanh works over Bartolo with some ground and pound from guard.
Souvongkhamchanh lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Souvongkhamchanh has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bartolo is proving hard to escape from.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Bartolo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bartolo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bartolo throwing strikes from guard but Souvongkhamchanh blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bartolo is looking to advance position but Souvongkhamchanh has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juaquin Bartolo dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Souvongkhamchanh lands a head kick. Bartolo smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Souvongkhamchanh pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Souvongkhamchanh throws a nice head kick!

Bartolo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Souvongkhamchanh is trying to defend but Bartolo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Souvongkhamchanh wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bartolo lands a nice short elbow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bartolo looks to land a strike but Souvongkhamchanh avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souvongkhamchanh is looking to stand up but Bartolo isn't so interested in that idea.

Bartolo stands and steps away. Souvongkhamchanh gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bartolo wants to clinch up but Souvongkhamchanh keeps it at a distance.
Bartolo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bartolo fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut there from Souvongkhamchanh.
A slapping body kick lands there for Souvongkhamchanh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartolo looks for a takedown but Souvongkhamchanh sprawls well.
Bartolo takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bartolo slips a jab and a cross from Souvongkhamchanh.
Souvongkhamchanh misses with a double jab.
Souvongkhamchanh throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ecko Souvongkhamchanh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bartolo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Souvongkhamchanh counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Souvongkhamchanh tries to clinch up but Bartolo circles away and keeps his distance.
Souvongkhamchanh plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Juaquin Bartolo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bartolo fails to land with a series of punches.
Souvongkhamchanh scores with a jab.
Souvongkhamchanh throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Souvongkhamchanh both land. Nice combination.
A nice combination there by Souvongkhamchanh.
Bartolo looks for a takedown but Souvongkhamchanh sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juaquin Bartolo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Souvongkhamchanh throws a nice head kick!
Bartolo throws a leg kick but Souvongkhamchanh moved away.
Souvongkhamchanh falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bartolo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Souvongkhamchanh lands an elbow inside.
Bartolo tries to pull guard but Souvongkhamchanh won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Souvongkhamchanh's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Souvongkhamchanh tries to break the clinch but Bartolo is controlling the position.
Souvongkhamchanh lands a nice knee to the body.
Souvongkhamchanh lands an elbow inside that Bartolo shrugs off.
Bartolo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Souvongkhamchanh gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bartolo tightens his grip and picks Souvongkhamchanh up, before dumping him to the ground. Souvongkhamchanh manages to land in guard.

Souvongkhamchanh working for a triangle but Bartolo defends it easily.
Souvongkhamchanh keeping full guard, as Bartolo tries to pass.
Bartolo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Souvongkhamchanh's head.

Souvongkhamchanh escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bartolo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bartolo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ecko Souvongkhamchanh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Souvongkhamchanh throws a head kick that misses.
Souvongkhamchanh moves into range and connects with a jab.
Souvongkhamchanh scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bartolo dives in and grabs Souvongkhamchanh's left leg, looking for a takedown. Souvongkhamchanh pushes down on Bartolo's head and hops out.
Souvongkhamchanh tries to clinch up

and Bartolo counters with a takedown into side control.
Souvongkhamchanh is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bartolo off and has taken his back!
Souvongkhamchanh throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Bartolo rolls, trying to escape but Souvongkhamchanh keeps control of the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Souvongkhamchanh is not going to allow Bartolo to sit and survive in this position.
Souvongkhamchanh missing with strikes from the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souvongkhamchanh thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Souvongkhamchanh scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Bartolo is looking for a way out.
You can see the frustration on Bartolo's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Souvongkhamchanh punches the canvas rather than the man.

Souvongkhamchanh patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Souvongkhamchanh looking for the choke from the back.
Souvongkhamchanh missing with strikes.
Bartolo trying to control the position but Souvongkhamchanh manages to sink in the hooks.
Souvongkhamchanh somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

Souvongkhamchanh is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Bartolo has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souvongkhamchanh throws a series of strikes and Bartolo wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.
Souvongkhamchanh has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Poor strikes thrown by Souvongkhamchanh there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Bartolo holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Souvongkhamchanh tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Souvongkhamchanh looking to ground and pound but Bartolo is blocking nicely.
Souvongkhamchanh prevents Bartolo from getting the reversal.
Bartolo on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bartolo tries to get out of the position.
Souvongkhamchanh throwing strikes here but Bartolo is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Souvongkhamchanh lands a heavy elbow.
Bartolo is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartolo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Souvongkhamchanh looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Bartolo tries to lock up and control but Souvongkhamchanh gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Souvongkhamchanh looking to ground and pound but Bartolo is blocking nicely.
Souvongkhamchanh fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Souvongkhamchanh throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Souvongkhamchanh thowing shots but they're missing.
Bartolo tries to hold on but Souvongkhamchanh pushes him away.
Poor strikes thrown by Souvongkhamchanh there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Souvongkhamchanh working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Bartolo slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Bartolo is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A right-left combo lands from Souvongkhamchanh.
Bartolo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bartolo throws out a loose jab but Souvongkhamchanh uses good head movement to avoid it.
Souvongkhamchanh throws a head kick that Bartolo semi-blocks.
Souvongkhamchanh clinches but Bartolo breaks the clinch

and Bartolo counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Souvongkhamchanh!
Bartolo is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Souvongkhamchanh taking shots to the head.
Souvongkhamchanh is looking to improve his position but Bartolo isn't that keen on the idea.

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 Juaquin Bartolo.
I think Bartolo 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Juaquin Bartolo!