PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nicky Santoro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomasz Szczakowiecki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tomasz Szczakowiecki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Santoro
vs
Szczakowiecki

160 cm
20
150 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

169 cm
29
145 lbs
13 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nicky Santoro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tomasz Szczakowiecki!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Szczakowiecki just misses with a punch to the body.
Szczakowiecki lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Santoro circles away quickly and effectively.
Santoro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Szczakowiecki.
Szczakowiecki tries to move into range but Santoro moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Szczakowiecki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Santoro loads up on a big right hand but Szczakowiecki slips the punch.
Szczakowiecki throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Santoro stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Szczakowiecki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Santoro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki tries to clinch up but Santoro circles away and keeps his distance.
Santoro slips under a jab from Szczakowiecki.

Szczakowiecki closes the distance and clinches.
Szczakowiecki working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Szczakowiecki.
Szczakowiecki lands with a light punch inside.
Santoro tries to break free but Szczakowiecki pushes him back against the cage.
Szczakowiecki scores with a shot to the side of Santoro's head.
Santoro is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Szczakowiecki is defending well.
A head punch on the inside from Szczakowiecki fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki prevents the takedown attempt.
Szczakowiecki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Szczakowiecki.
Santoro blocking some punches.
Szczakowiecki throws a head punch that misses.
Santoro is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicky Santoro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santoro fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Santoro tries for a takedown. No joy.
A frustrated look appears on Santoro's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Szczakowiecki swings wildly with an uppercut but Santoro uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Santoro.
Santoro is stalling here.
Santoro is trying to break free.
Szczakowiecki throws a punch but it's blocked by Santoro.
Szczakowiecki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Szczakowiecki swings wildly with an uppercut but Santoro uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Szczakowiecki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki pushes Santoro back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Szczakowiecki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Szczakowiecki throws a head punch that misses.
Szczakowiecki misses with some punches.
Szczakowiecki makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Szczakowiecki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Santoro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Santoro blocks an uppercut.
Szczakowiecki stops a takedown attempt from Santoro.

Santoro is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Szczakowiecki can't fight it off and eventually Santoro manages to take the fight to the floor. Szczakowiecki looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Santoro is looking to work some ground and pound but Szczakowiecki has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomasz Szczakowiecki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Szczakowiecki throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A right-left combo lands from Szczakowiecki.
Santoro swats away the attempt to clinch by Szczakowiecki.
Szczakowiecki throws the left hand but Santoro avoids the punch easily.
Szczakowiecki punishes Santoro's body with a nice straight punch.

Szczakowiecki takes the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Santoro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Szczakowiecki pulls his leg out and moves away.
A slow jab from Santoro misses its intended target.

Szczakowiecki moves into the clinch.
Santoro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Szczakowiecki pulls his leg out and moves away.
Santoro 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Santoro.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicky Santoro. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Szczakowiecki moves into the clinch.
Szczakowiecki working aggressively here.
Santoro is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Santoro looking for a takedown.
Santoro is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Szczakowiecki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A short right from Szczakowiecki.
Santoro tries for a takedown but Szczakowiecki manages to get underhooks.
Szczakowiecki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Santoro wants to get back to striking at distance but Szczakowiecki won't allow it.
Szczakowiecki working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Szczakowiecki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Szczakowiecki gets through Santoro's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Szczakowiecki stops a takedown attempt from Santoro.

Santoro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santoro slips a jab from Szczakowiecki.
Szczakowiecki misses with a series of wild punches.
Szczakowiecki scores with a jab. Santoro acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Szczakowiecki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Szczakowiecki connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Santoro's hands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Szczakowiecki moves into the clinch.
A short left from Szczakowiecki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomasz Szczakowiecki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Santoro slips a jab and a cross from Szczakowiecki.
Santoro shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Szczakowiecki pinned against the cage. Szczakowiecki gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Santoro shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Szczakowiecki pinned against the cage. Szczakowiecki gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Santoro gets the takedown into side control.
Szczakowiecki prevents Santoro from moving into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Santoro throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Szczakowiecki is not content to let Santoro control the position.
Szczakowiecki is trying to improve his position.

Santoro working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Szczakowiecki is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki stops Santoro from passing to mount.
Szczakowiecki is not content to let Santoro control the position.
Szczakowiecki is looking to regain half guard here but Santoro keeps moving and retains side control.
Santoro working the strikes but Szczakowiecki uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki is refusing to be controlled, as Santoro sits in half guard.
Nice strikes from Santoro there.
Szczakowiecki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Szczakowiecki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Santoro preventing the sweep.
Santoro wants to pass the guard but Szczakowiecki is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Szczakowiecki can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Santoro controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki 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.
Santoro chips away with some ground and pound.
Szczakowiecki pulls Santoro in close to prevent any damage.
Santoro trying to control the position from guard on top but Szczakowiecki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santoro trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Santoro clearly takes 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.

Szczakowiecki moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Santoro shoots in looking for a takedown. Szczakowiecki tries to sprawl out of it but Santoro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Szczakowiecki manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Szczakowiecki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Santoro dives in and scores a takedown into Szczakowiecki's guard.
Szczakowiecki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nicky Santoro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Santoro won't allow Szczakowiecki to sweep him here.
Santoro throws a strike but Szczakowiecki rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki is looking to stand up but Santoro won't let him.

Santoro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Szczakowiecki defends it easily.

Santoro working for submissions but it's allowed Szczakowiecki to get to half guard.
Santoro is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Szczakowiecki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Szczakowiecki's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santoro really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Szczakowiecki.
Szczakowiecki manages to escape to a better position under a series of strikes. Santoro is now in side control.
Santoro postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Santoro throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Szczakowiecki sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Santoro missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Santoro throwing shots but Szczakowiecki is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki is trying to get back to full guard.
Szczakowiecki is not content to let Santoro control the position.
Santoro trying to control from Szczakowiecki's half guard. Szczakowiecki has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Szczakowiecki keeps moving.
Santoro loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Santoro trying to control the position from guard on top but Szczakowiecki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Santoro passes Szczakowiecki's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Santoro not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Santoro is pressing down on Szczakowiecki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Szczakowiecki is holding on for now.
Santoro prevents Szczakowiecki from improving his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Szczakowiecki is staying active underneath Santoro, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Santoro had his way with Tomasz Szczakowiecki in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Szczakowiecki connects with the punch.
Santoro circles away from the clinch attempt
and Santoro counters with a stiff right hand.
Santoro staying out of range there.
Szczakowiecki cracks Santoro with an open hand slap.
Szczakowiecki thows a body shot but no joy.
Szczakowiecki tries to clinch but Santoro moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczakowiecki is looking to clinch.
A shot to the liver by Szczakowiecki. Beautiful body shot.
Szczakowiecki tries to clinch up but Santoro circles away and keeps his distance.
Santoro closes the distance and clinches up with Szczakowiecki, looking for a takedown. Santoro pushes Szczakowiecki against the cage but Szczakowiecki circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Szczakowiecki scores with a body shot.
Santoro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Santoro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Santoro fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santoro ducks under a wild hook from Szczakowiecki.

Szczakowiecki gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Santorois looking to pass into half guard but Szczakowiecki pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Szczakowiecki is in guard.

Santoro is looking for a triangle here but Szczakowiecki uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Szczakowiecki decides to stand up, so the ref orders Santoro to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Szczakowiecki closes the distance and pushes Santoro back into the cage.
Szczakowiecki throws a head punch that misses.
Santoro misses with some punches.
Santoro tries to break free but Szczakowiecki pushes him back against the cage.
Szczakowiecki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Santoro has Szczakowiecki pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Szczakowiecki manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicky Santoro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Szczakowiecki stops a takedown attempt from Santoro.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santoro stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Szczakowiecki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Santoro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Santoro drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Szczakowiecki gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Szczakowiecki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Szczakowiecki swings wildly with an uppercut but Santoro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Szczakowiecki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tomasz Szczakowiecki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Szczakowiecki 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tomasz Szczakowiecki!
Tomasz Szczakowiecki is the new featherweight champion!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Tomasz Szczakowiecki waved his t-shirt featuring Bloodsport Nutrition (100% Genuine)SALE 159Q $30's logo in front of the cameras.