PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sian Sissoko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Polo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sian Sissoko could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Marco Polo's chin.

Sissoko
vs
Polo

180 cm
21
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Inexperienced

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sian Sissoko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marco Polo!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Polo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sissoko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Polo somewhat.
Polo throws a series of punches but Sissoko moves out of range.
Marco Polo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Polo drives through and clinches with Sissoko against the cage.
Sissoko landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Polo is trying to break the clinch but Sissoko has him pressed against the cage.
Sissoko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Polo backwards.
Sissoko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Polo wants to break free but Sissoko has control.
Sissoko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Polo wants to get back to striking at distance but Sissoko won't allow it.
Polo can't break the clinch.

Sissoko manages to break the clinch.

Polo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sissoko is looking for a sweep. Polo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Polo thows a huge punch but Sissoko dodges it nicely.
Sissoko is breathing heavily.
Ground and pound from Polo.
Polo lands with a punch from half guard.
Polo scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Sissoko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Polo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Polo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Polo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Polo connects with a nice short shot to Sissoko's temple.
Polo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Polo lands with a punch from half guard.
Polo slips a nice elbow through Sissoko's hands, connecting with Sissoko's forehead.
Sissoko on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Polo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sissoko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Polo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sissoko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Polo winds up and cracks Sissoko with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Polo lands a nice short elbow.
Polo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sissoko's head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Polo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Polo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sissoko defending well though.
Sissoko taking some punishment here, with Polo in his half guard.
Sissoko looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polo drops an elbow to the side of Sissoko's head.
Nice strikes from Polo there.
Polo working the head and body with strikes.
Polo throwing shots but Sissoko is blocking nicely.
Sissoko has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Polo is working away from the top position though.
Polo working the head and body with strikes.
Polo lands strikes from half guard.
Sissoko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Polo scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sissoko is looking for a sweep. Polo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Polo 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.
Sissoko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Polo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Polo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sissoko's head.
Polo prevents Sissoko from improving his position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Polo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sissoko is trying to get back to full guard.
Polo thows a huge punch but Sissoko dodges it nicely.
Sissoko flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from Polo there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Polo is nestled in close to Sissoko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Polo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Polo is nestled in close to Sissoko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Polo dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Polo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Polo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Polo gets underhooks to prevent Sissoko's takedown attempt.
Sissoko prevents the takedown attempt.
Sissoko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Polo lands a nice shot to the body.
Polo is stalling here.
Polo is trying to force a seperation but Sissoko has the dominant position.
Sissoko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Polo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Polo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Polo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sian Sissoko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Polo instigates a clinch.
Polo wants to get back to striking at distance but Sissoko won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polo can't break the clinch.
Sissoko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sian Sissoko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sissoko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Polo's efforts to push away.
Sissoko keeps control of Polo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Polo breaks the clinch.
Sissoko dodges the punch combination from Polo.
Polo feints a jab promting Sissoko to slip. Polo then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sissoko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Polo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sissoko did well to prevent Polo getting side control.
Marco Polo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Polo working over Sissoko with some ground and pound. Sissoko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sissoko is trying to stand up here but Polo is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sissoko pushes Polo off looking to stand but Polo dives back in and keeps control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sissoko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Polo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Polo working Sissoko over with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Polo lands a nice short elbow.
Polo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sissoko defending well though.
Polo working the head and body with strikes.
Sissoko has hold of Polo's hands but Polo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sissoko wants to get back to full guard.
Polo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sissoko misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Polo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Polo connects with a nice short shot to Sissoko's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sissoko is trying to maintain the position but Polo is very close to passing his half guard.
Polo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sissoko manages to get to full guard.
Polo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Polo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Sissoko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sissoko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sissoko is trying to keep Polo in close.
Sissoko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Polo lands a couple of elbows.

Sissoko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Polo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Polo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Polo scoring with punches to the head and body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Polo throwing strikes from guard but Sissoko blocks nicely.
Polo stands up over Sissoko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Polo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Polo shoots in for a takedown but Sissoko shows good takedown defense.
Sissoko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A punch combination from Polo misses.
Polo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sissoko tries to avoid it but Polo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sissoko to the ground. Sissoko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Polo on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Polo.
Sian Sissoko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Polo.
Polo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sissoko but Sissoko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sissoko shoots in but no luck this time.
Sissoko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Polo circles away.
Polo swinging wildly here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Polo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Polo looks to land a strike but Sissoko avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Sissoko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Polo throwing strikes from guard but Sissoko blocks nicely.
Sissoko looking to control.
Polo throwing strikes from guard but Sissoko blocks nicely.
Polo stopping the sweep attempt from Sissoko.
Polo cracks Sissoko with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sissoko 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.
Polo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Polo scoring with some ground and pound.
Polo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sissoko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sissoko wants to sweep but no luck.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Polo throwing strikes from guard but Sissoko blocks nicely.
Sissoko trying to control the position.
Sissoko is really struggling to control Polo but he's trying to hold on to the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Polo throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Sian Sissoko wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Polo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sissoko defends it nicely.
Polo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sissoko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sissoko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Polo is fending him off so far but Sissoko persists. Nope, Polo circles away and we're back to standing.

Polo gets a takedown into half guard.
Sissoko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sissoko.
Sissoko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sissoko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sissoko wants to stand but Polo is controlling the position.
Polo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Polo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sissoko is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Polo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Polo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Polo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sissoko's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sissoko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Polo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Polo won't allow Sissoko to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Polo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Polo 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Polo!