PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Curt Warburton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kon Sai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Warburton might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Type O Negative. Sai has chosen Made In Thailand as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Warburton
vs
Sai

179 cm
23
155 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

176 cm
20
162 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Curt Warburton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kon Sai!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Valeri Chadov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sai thumps Warburton with a low kick.
Sai fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sai drives through and clinches with Warburton against the cage.
Sai lands an elbow just above Warburton 's eye.
Warburton has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sai after a bit of a struggle.
Warburton has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sai avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Warburton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curt Warburton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Warburton can't get the takedown.
Sai just leaning against Warburton, taking a breather.
Warburton drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sai pulls his leg out and moves away.
Warburton on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sai shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Warburton but Warburton pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sai throws a head kick that half lands.
Warburton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sai fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warburton shoots for a takedown but Sai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sai tries to clinch but Warburton moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Warburton.
Sai wants to clinch but Warburton slips to the side

and Warburton counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sai seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Warburton stops Sai from standing up.
Warburton throws an elbow that misses. Sai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Warburton's guard. Nice move by Sai!
Sai tries to free his leg and advance position but Warburton is retaining full guard.

Warburton pushes Sai off and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sai thuds his shin into the meat of Warburton's side.
Sai slaps away a takedown attempt from Warburton, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sai tries for a takedown but Warburton sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Warburton shoots in but no luck this time.
Sai lands a high kick!
Warburton closes the distance and clinches up with Sai, looking for a takedown. Warburton pushes Sai against the cage but Sai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sai tries to clinch there but Warburton circles away.
Sai plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Warburton keeps the fight on the outside.

Sai closes the distance and clinches.

Sai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sai shoots in but no luck this time.
Sai slaps away a takedown attempt from Warburton, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sai is looking to clinch but Warburton is avoiding it.
A jab from Sai finds it's way through Warburton's defenses.
Warburton takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sai tries to clinch but Warburton moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warburton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Warburton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Sai counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Warburton avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Warburton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sai gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sai lands an elbow just above Warburton 's eye.
Sai gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sai dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Warburton is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sai is defending well.
Sai lands an elbow just above Warburton 's eye.
Sai lands an elbow inside that Warburton shrugs off.

Sai breaks from the clinch.
Sai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Warburton paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sai moves into the clinch.
Sai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Warburton takes an elbow to the forehead.
Warburton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sai gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Warburton wants to take the fight to the mat but Sai manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sai lands an elbow just above Warburton 's eye.
Sai tries for a takedown but Warburton manages to get underhooks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sai.
Sai lands an uppercut.
Sai lands a nice elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sai throws an elbow but it misses.
Sai lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Sai breaks the clinch.
Sai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kon Sai dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sai fails with a takedown attempt.

Sai forces Warburton back against the cage and clinches.
Warburton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sai creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Warburton's defenses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Warburton blocks an elbow strike from Sai.

Sai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Sai clinches up with Warburton and pushes him back against the cage.
Warburton tries to score a body lock takedown but Sai shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Warburton tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curt Warburton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Warburton takes an elbow to the temple.
Warburton is looking to take this one to the mat.

Sai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sai tries to clinch

and Warburton counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sai!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Warburton throwing strikes here but Sai is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Warburton raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sai regains half guard.
Sai works his way to full guard. Good work.
Warburton tries to free his leg and advance position but Sai is retaining full guard.
Warburton slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sai is looking for a sweep.
Warburton throws an elbow but Sai slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sai sneaks back into half guard.
Sai is trying to stand back up but Warburton is controlling him
Warburton working over Sai with some ground and pound. Sai looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Warburton throws a strike but Sai avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Warburton throws a strike but Sai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Warburton is keeping the position for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Warburton is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Warburton drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sai taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Curt Warburton has been cut.
Sai lands an elbow inside that Warburton shrugs off.
Sai comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Warburton as Sai tries to tie him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warburton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sai gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sai looking to slow down the pace here.
Warburton changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sai fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sai shoots in and drives through. Warburton sprawls well.
Warburton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sai counters with an outside leg kick.
Sai tries to clinch but Warburton moves out of range.
Sai shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Warburton but Warburton pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Sai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Warburton tries for a takedown. No joy.
Warburton goes for a takedown attempt but Sai pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sai shoots in but no luck this time.
Warburton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sai fails to land the takedown.

Sai rushes Warburton and presses him up against the cage.
Warburton has Sai pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sai manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sai lands an elbow inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Warburton is working for takedown but Sai is calmly controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kon Sai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Curt Warburton's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Warburton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sai.
Warburton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sai shoots in but Warburton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Warburton keeps the fight on the outside.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Warburton.

Sai clinches up with Warburton and pushes him back against the cage.
Warburton can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Curt Warburton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sai is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Sai manages to break the clinch.
Sai fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Warburton avoids it really well and circles away.
Sai doesn't manage to clinch there - Warburton circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warburton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Warburton tries for a takedown but Sai circles away easily
and Sai counters with a head kick. That will keep Warburton thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Sai throws a head kick that Warburton semi-blocks.

Sai shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sai showed some decent athleticism there.

Sai decides to return to a standing position.
Warburton takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Warburton fails with the takedown
and Sai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Warburton shoots in for a takedown but Sai shows good takedown defense.

Sai forces Warburton back against the cage and clinches.
Warburton letting Sai take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sai creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Warburton's defenses.
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!
Sai gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sai has Warburton pushed against the cage.

Warburton gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sai is looking to control Warburton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sai avoid being mounted?
Warburton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sai's head.
Warburton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sai defending well though.
Sai moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Sai pushes Warburton off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Warburton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warburton tries for a takedown but Sai circles away easily
and Sai counters with a two punch combo.
Warburton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sai avoids it really well and circles away.
Warburton stuffs the takedown.
Sai doesn't manage to clinch there - Warburton circles away.
Sai is looking to clinch but Warburton is avoiding it.

Sai forces Warburton back against the cage and clinches.
Sai prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nice elbow from Sai.
Sai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sai lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Warburton takes an elbow to the temple.
Warburton changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sai fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kon Sai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Warburton fails with a takedown attempt.
Sai throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Warburton's head.
Warburton shoots for a double leg takedown but Sai sprawls well. He's pushed Warburton's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sai tries to clinch up.
Sai wants to clinch up but Warburton keeps it at a distance.
Sai tries to clinch but Warburton is having none of it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sai lands a lovely overhand right.
Curt Warburton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sai fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Warburton has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Warburton misses with a looping left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kon Sai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sai 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kon Sai!
Kon Sai seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.