PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Sykes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fennil Rutabega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sykes is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. Aaron Sykes looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Sykes
vs
Rutabega

180 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aaron Sykes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fennil Rutabega!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rutabega lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sykes is breathing heavily.
Rutabega throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rutabega cracks Sykes with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rutabega looks to land a combination. Sykes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rutabega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sykes back to the cage. Rutabega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Sykes is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rutabega.
Danga de danga de dang - Rutabega scores with a four punch combination!
Rutabega scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rutabega lands a really nice looking cross but Sykes seems unphased.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rutabega!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rutabega lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rutabega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sykes back to the cage. Rutabega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A left and a right from Rutabega both land. Nice combination.
Rutabega throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rutabega lands a right hook to the body.
Rutabega is working the combinations to good effect here.
Rutabega scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rutabega 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.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutabega scores with a hook to the body. Sykes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rutabega throws a combination. Sykes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rutabega!
Rutabega's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rutabega duly obliges.
Jab, jab by Rutabega - just one landing.
Sykes shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Rutabega scores with a hook to the body. Sykes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rutabega closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Danga de danga de dang - Rutabega scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutabega digs a good hook to Sykes's body.
Rutabega throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
A nice combination there by Rutabega.
Rutabega scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rutabega moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sykes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rutabega displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sykes looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rutabega lands with a nice combination. Sykes backs away looking to recover.
Rutabega lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rutabega.
Rutabega jabs at Sykes's body.
Rutabega scores with a three punch combo!
Rutabega displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rutabega moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
Sykes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rutabega throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rutabega!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rutabega lands a slapping body shot.
Rutabega digs a good body shot into Sykes's ribs.
Rutabega lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutabega looks to land a combination. Sykes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rutabega shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sykes eats them both and turns towards Rutabega to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Rutabega scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rutabega goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rutabega throws a one two combo.
Rutabega throws a one two combo.
Rutabega lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fennil Rutabega is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rutabega shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sykes eats them both and turns towards Rutabega to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Rutabega cracks Sykes with an open hand slap.
Rutabega lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sykes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sykes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rutabega works over Sykes's head and body with a nice combination.
Rutabega is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Sykes had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Sykes is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rutabega.
Sykes gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A right-left combo lands from Rutabega.
Rutabega closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rutabega is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sykes rather than just go for the knockout.
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Rutabega scores with a four punch combination!
Rutabega stuns Sykes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
Rutabega throws a combination. Sykes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rutabega scores with a three punch combo!
Rutabega throws a series of strikes that have Sykes backpedaling.
Rutabega lands a two punch combo.
Rutabega lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rutabega feints a jab promting Sykes to slip. Rutabega then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sykes slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rutabega lands a nice hook to Sykes's body. Sykes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rutabega throws a one two combo.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rutabega.
Rutabega lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rutabega lands a two punch combo.
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
Sykes takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rutabega lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rutabega displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rutabega scores with a jab to the body.
Rutabega lands with a nice combination. Sykes backs away looking to recover.
A shot to the liver by Rutabega. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutabega closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rutabega lands a nice shot that snaps Sykes's head back.
Jab, jab by Rutabega - just one landing.
Rutabega lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rutabega throws a series of strikes that have Sykes backpedaling.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
Rutabega throws a combination. Sykes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rutabega looks to land a combination. Sykes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rutabega changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rutabega stalks Sykes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sykes's face. Sykes staggers backwards, shaken.
Rutabega wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rutabega scores with a three punch combo!
Rutabega moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fennil Rutabega seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rutabega throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rutabega throws a one two combo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rutabega moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rutabega lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sykes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sykes is looking to clinch.
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fennil Rutabega dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rutabega scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fennil Rutabega seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A nice combination there by Rutabega.
Rutabega cracks a nice hook into Sykes's ribs.
Rutabega ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A left and a right from Rutabega both land. Nice combination.
Rutabega closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
Rutabega moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
Rutabega goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rutabega scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rutabega closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rutabega lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rutabega.
Danga de danga de dang - Rutabega scores with a four punch combination!
Rutabega has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rutabega lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rutabega goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rutabega scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rutabega feints a jab promting Sykes to slip. Rutabega then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sykes slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rutabega lands a nice hook to Sykes's body. Sykes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutabega moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rutabega lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Sykes might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Rutabega scores with a one two! Sykes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sykes is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rutabega.
Sykes takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rutabega scores with a one two! Sykes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rutabega.
Rutabega stalks Sykes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sykes's face. Sykes staggers backwards, shaken.
Rutabega lands a nice hook to Sykes's body. Sykes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rutabega lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rutabega.
Rutabega scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Rutabega moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sykes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rutabega scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Danga de danga de dang - Rutabega scores with a four punch combination!
Aaron Sykes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rutabega.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
Rutabega lands a right hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutabega lands a two punch combo.
Rutabega scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sykes has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rutabega lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rutabega stalks Sykes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sykes's face. Sykes staggers backwards, shaken.
Sykes fails with the takedown.
Rutabega scores with a three punch combo!
Sykes shoots for a takedown but Rutabega saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rutabega lands a nice hook to Sykes's body. Sykes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rutabega works over Sykes's head and body with a nice combination.
Rutabega closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rutabega moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sykes has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rutabega ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sykes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rutabega as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Sykes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rutabega lands a two punch combo.
Rutabega lands a two punch combo.
Rutabega scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutabega throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sykes stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rutabega feints a jab promting Sykes to slip. Rutabega then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sykes slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rutabega feints a jab promting Sykes to slip. Rutabega then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sykes slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rutabega jabs at Sykes's body.
A shot to the liver by Rutabega. Beautiful body shot.
Rutabega lands a jab to Sykes's midsection.
Rutabega throws a shot to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rutabega!
Rutabega scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
Rutabega lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rutabega!
A left and a right from Rutabega both land. Nice combination.
Sykes has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rutabega scores with a one two! Sykes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rutabega lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rutabega.
Sykes wants to clinch up but Rutabega keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutabega looks to land a combination but Sykes avoids it well.
Rutabega rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sykes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rutabega lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rutabega.
Sykes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rutabega tries to avoid it but Sykes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rutabega to the ground. Rutabega escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sykes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rutabega closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rutabega throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sykes.
Rutabega connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rutabega scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A punch combination from Rutabega misses.
Sykes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice takedown defense from Rutabega. No joy for Sykes on that attempt.
Rutabega displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rutabega lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rutabega looks to land a combination. Sykes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rutabega misses with a series of wild punches.
Rutabega's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rutabega duly obliges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fennil Rutabega showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rutabega scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rutabega scores with a hook to the body. Sykes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rutabega moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rutabega's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rutabega duly obliges.
Rutabega scores with a hook to the body. Sykes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Sykes. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Rutabega throws a combination. Sykes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rutabega lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sykes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rutabega connects with a body shot that sends Sykes's belly button to the back.
Rutabega throws a one two combo.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
Rutabega dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rutabega scores with a one two! Sykes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sykes takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sykes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rutabega scores with a three punch combo!
A left and a right from Rutabega both land. Nice combination.
Rutabega throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rutabega comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutabega scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rutabega looks to land a combination. Sykes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rutabega lands a slapping body shot.
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
Rutabega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sykes back to the cage. Rutabega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rutabega throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sykes stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rutabega changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rutabega moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rutabega scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rutabega scores with a hook to the body. Sykes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sykes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rutabega pinned against the cage. Rutabega gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rutabega lands a two punch combo.
Sykes drops his hands momentarily and Rutabega takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
Rutabega shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sykes eats them both and turns towards Rutabega to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutabega lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sykes tries to clinch there but Rutabega circles away.
Rutabega connects with a crisp jab.
A right-left combo lands from Rutabega.
Rutabega stuns Sykes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rutabega changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to the liver by Rutabega. Beautiful body shot.
Rutabega moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sykes closes the distance and clinches up with Rutabega, looking for a takedown. Sykes pushes Rutabega against the cage but Rutabega circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rutabega throws a combination. Sykes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rutabega closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sykes tries to clinch up but Rutabega circles away and keeps his distance.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rutabega.
Rutabega connects with a single shot there.
Rutabega goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Sykes closes the distance and clinches up with Rutabega, looking for a takedown. Sykes pushes Rutabega against the cage but Rutabega circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Sykes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rutabega bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sykes's head backwards.
Rutabega lands a nice shot to the body.
Rutabega lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rutabega connects with a body shot that sends Sykes's belly button to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutabega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sykes back to the cage. Rutabega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rutabega lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rutabega lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rutabega.
Rutabega lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rutabega moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sykes takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rutabega lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rutabega lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sykes backs up against the cage.
Sykes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rutabega with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rutabega pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sykes back to the cage. Rutabega follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rutabega scores with a one two! Sykes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rutabega stuffs the takedown attempt from Sykes. Sykes gets slowly back to his feet.
Rutabega changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rutabega scores with the left hand. Sykes knows he should have avoided that one.
Sykes on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rutabega with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sykes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sykes takes one to the side of the head.
Rutabega lands with a nice body punch.
Rutabega keeps the fight on the outside.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rutabega.
A jab from Rutabega does it's job there.
Rutabega thuds a left hand into Sykes's body.
Sykes doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rutabega lands a jab-cross combination.
Sykes slips a jab and a cross from Rutabega.
Nice body punch from Rutabega.
Rutabega stalks Sykes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sykes's face. Sykes staggers backwards, shaken.
Danga de danga de dang - Rutabega scores with a four punch combination!
Rutabega lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rutabega.
Aaron Sykes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sykes shoots in and drives through. Rutabega sprawls well.
Rutabega scores with a jab to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Rutabega.
Fennil Rutabega is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sykes misses with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fennil Rutabega comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rutabega has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 24:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 24:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fennil Rutabega!