PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sami Sykloni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kingsley Ciprut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sykloni's entrance music is David Arkenstone - Carrickfergus. A fine choice. Sami Sykloni had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Sykloni
vs
Ciprut

188 cm
23
205 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

186 cm
25
215 lbs
10 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

$10

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sami Sykloni!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Kingsley Ciprut!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Jorge Garcia and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ciprut scores with a leg kick.
Sykloni with a nice cross.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sykloni swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ciprut fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ciprut is looking to clinch but Sykloni is avoiding it.
Ciprut tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Sykloni counters with an outside leg kick.
Sykloni cracks Ciprut with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ciprut showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sykloni.
Sykloni buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ciprut looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sykloni looks for a takedown but Ciprut sprawls well.
A jab from Sykloni finds it's way through Ciprut's defenses.
Sami Sykloni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykloni avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sykloni darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sykloni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ciprut wants to clinch up but Sykloni keeps it at a distance.
Ciprut is looking to clinch but Sykloni is avoiding it.

Ciprut moves into the clinch.
Ciprut stops a takedown attempt from Sykloni.
Sykloni blocks an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sykloni avoiding damage as Ciprut throws knees to the body.
Ciprut tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ciprut keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sykloni's efforts to push away.
Sykloni tries to pull guard but Ciprut holds him up against the cage and eventually Sykloni drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sami Sykloni. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sykloni doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ciprut throws a punch but it's blocked by Sykloni.
Sykloni prevents a body shot from Ciprut.
Ciprut pushes off an throws an elbow but Sykloni leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ciprut pushes off an throws an elbow but Sykloni leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sykloni is trying to break free.
Ciprut doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sykloni has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ciprut lands an elbow inside that Sykloni shrugs off.

It looks like Sami Sykloni has been cut.
Sykloni working hard to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ciprut slows down the pace here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ciprut just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sykloni's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sykloni escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ciprut tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sykloni circles away from the clinch attempt
and Sykloni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sykloni ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ciprut throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ciprut lands with a nice body kick.
Sykloni fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ciprut tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sykloni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sykloni with a nice cross.
Ciprut moves away from the strike by Sykloni.
Ciprut tries to clinch but Sykloni moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ciprut rushes Sykloni and presses him up against the cage.
Ciprut prevents the takedown attempt.
Sykloni prevents a body shot from Ciprut.
Sykloni tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ciprut's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Sykloni fails to land.

Sykloni pulls guard successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Sykloni working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ciprut has passed into half guard!
Sykloni wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sykloni moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Sykloni is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ciprut defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sami Sykloni will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sami Sykloni's cut.
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.

Ciprut tries to clinch but Sykloni moves out of range.
Sykloni throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ciprut.
Sykloni misses the jab.
Ciprut fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ciprut looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sykloni looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sykloni lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sykloni lands a head shot.
Sykloni throws a hook but Ciprut blocks it.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch but Sykloni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sami Sykloni is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciprut doesn't manage to clinch there - Sykloni circles away.
Sykloni fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sykloni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kingsley Ciprut is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ciprut blocks a head kick by Sykloni.
Ciprut throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sykloni checks a leg kick nicely.
Ciprut takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sykloni tries to land a leg kick but Ciprut saw it coming and moves away.
Ciprut scoring well with a low kick there.
A low kick from Ciprut is predictable there
and Sykloni makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ciprut tries to clinch up
and Sykloni makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni throws a body kick that misses.
Ciprut moves in looking to clinch but Sykloni pushes him off.
Sykloni lands a nice shot to the body.
Sykloni tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch but Sykloni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ciprut scores with a head kick.
Sykloni scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ciprut doesn't seem bothered though.
A slow jab from Sykloni misses its intended target.
Ciprut is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Ciprut closes the distance and pushes Sykloni back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut has Sykloni pressed against the cage.
Sykloni tries to break the clinch but Ciprut is controlling the position.

Sykloni manages to break the clinch.
Sykloni lands a front kick.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sykloni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ciprut throws a wild body kick that Sykloni sees coming a mile off.
Ciprut moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ciprut fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sykloni comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sykloni scores with a jab.
Ciprut tries to clinch but Sykloni moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch but Sykloni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ciprut tries to clinch but Sykloni moves away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ciprut tries to clinch up but Sykloni circles away and keeps his distance.
Sykloni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ciprut was well out of range. Poor timing from Sykloni.
Kingsley Ciprut is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sykloni changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ciprut tries to avoid it but Sykloni manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ciprut to the ground. Ciprut escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sykloni is looking to slow Ciprut down with leg kicks.
Sykloni steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ciprut. That one must have hurt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ciprut takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ciprut takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sykloni throws a sloppy head kick and Ciprut moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Sykloni dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sami Sykloni's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sykloni moves out of range of the body kick from Ciprut.
Ciprut fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sykloni attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ciprut tries to clinch
and Sykloni counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sykloni throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ciprut tries to clinch up.
Sykloni fails with a takedown attempt.
Sykloni ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sykloni throws a quick inside leg kick.
A cross from Sykloni lands.
Ciprut throws a wild body kick that Sykloni sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciprut is looking to clinch.
Good work by Ciprut as he checks the leg kick.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sykloni swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sykloni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ciprut was well out of range. Poor timing from Sykloni.
Sykloni throws out a loose jab but Ciprut uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ciprut throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sykloni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ciprut moves in looking to clinch but Sykloni pushes him off.
Sykloni circles away from the clinch attempt
and Sykloni counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ciprut wants to clinch up but Sykloni keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni scores with the left hand. Ciprut knows he should have avoided that one.
Ciprut is looking to clinch but Sykloni is avoiding it.
Sykloni swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ciprut counters with a nice leg kick.
Ciprut tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sykloni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ciprut ducks under a wild hook from Sykloni.
Sykloni works Ciprut's body with a nice hook.
Sykloni swats away the attempt to clinch by Ciprut.

Ciprut clinches with his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ciprut has Sykloni pressed against the cage, preventing Sykloni from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ciprut tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sykloni avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut trying to control the position but instead, Sykloni has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ciprut into the cage.

Sykloni breaks the clinch.
Sykloni connects with a body shot.
Sykloni takes a swing at Ciprut's ribcage but misses.
Sykloni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ciprut was well out of range. Poor timing from Sykloni.

Ciprut closes the distance and pushes Sykloni back into the cage.
Ciprut taking a breather.
Ciprut throws a punch but it's blocked by Sykloni.

Sykloni manages to break the clinch.
Sykloni swats away the attempt to clinch by Ciprut.
Ciprut has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sykloni finds it's way round the side to connect with Ciprut's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ciprut darts in trying to clinch
and Sykloni counters with a straight right hand.
Sykloni throws a right hand that Ciprut ducks under and follows up with a left that Ciprut also avoids with ease.
Sykloni avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sykloni throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ciprut walks into a straight right hand from Sykloni.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sykloni misses with a hook. Ciprut ducked under it nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ciprut scores with a spinning back kick!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sykloni.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Sykloni clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Sami Sykloni's cut.
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.

A low kick from Ciprut misses
and Sykloni counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ciprut moves in looking to clinch but Sykloni pushes him off.
Ciprut tries a head kick but it misses.
Sykloni throws a lazy right hand but Ciprut sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sykloni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ciprut was well out of range. Poor timing from Sykloni.
Ciprut fails in his attempt to clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sykloni.
Sykloni thows a body shot but no joy.
Ciprut moves in looking to clinch but Sykloni pushes him off.
Sykloni misses with an uppercut. Ciprut saw that one coming.
Ciprut throws a leg kick but Sykloni sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykloni scores with a jab.
Sykloni keeps the fight on the outside.
Sykloni takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ciprut on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sykloni misses with a low kick as Ciprut jumps back.
A jab from Sykloni finds it's way through Ciprut's defenses.
Sykloni thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ciprut lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sykloni's sensitive parts.
Sykloni stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ciprut.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sykloni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A head kick misses from Sykloni.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykloni misses with an uppercut. Ciprut saw that one coming.

Ciprut has managed to clinch.
Ciprut effectively controlling the action here.
Sykloni prevents a body shot from Ciprut.
Ciprut struggles to land a body shot inside as Sykloni controls his hands.
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!
Ciprut looking to slow down the pace here.
Sykloni is trying to break the clinch but Ciprut is controlling him.
Sykloni is trying to break the clinch but Ciprut has him pressed against the cage.
Sykloni lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sykloni fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sykloni managing to block the knees to the body from Ciprut.
Sykloni is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sykloni misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sykloni's efforts to push away.
Kingsley Ciprut seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sykloni blocks the elbow strike.
Sykloni is trying to break the clinch but Ciprut has him pressed against the cage.
Sykloni wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sykloni misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sykloni wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ciprut stalling.
Ciprut is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sykloni is defending well for now.
Ciprut wants to stall.
Sykloni blocks a body shot from Ciprut.
Ciprut tries to throw a body punch but Sykloni avoids it by throwing Ciprut back against the cage.

Sykloni breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ciprut tries to clinch there but Sykloni circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Ciprut blocks the leg kick.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sykloni swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ciprut closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sykloni counters with a solid body kick.
Sykloni misses with a body shot

and Ciprut counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ciprut pushes Sykloni back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sykloni lands with a light punch inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ciprut throws an elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sykloni misses with a punch on the inside.
Ciprut has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Sykloni breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sykloni swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sykloni lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Sami Sykloni will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sami Sykloni's cut.
That's time! Sykloni's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ciprut doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Ciprut has closed the distance and engaged Sykloni in a clinch.
Ciprut landing knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sykloni tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ciprut prevents the takedown attempt.
Ciprut misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ciprut prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sami Sykloni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ciprut.
Sykloni cracks Ciprut with a nice body shot.

Sykloni has clasped his hands together around Ciprut's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ciprut is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Sykloni asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sykloni just content to control the position.

Sykloni is trying to get an arm triangle but Ciprut is defending well.
Sykloni laying and praying for a moment but Ciprut takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut looks like he's trying to stand up.

Sykloni is trying to work for a kimura but Ciprut is defending well.
Sykloni wants to control but Ciprut is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut tries to kick Sykloni off but Sykloni keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sami Sykloni is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sykloni trying to control from Ciprut's half guard. Ciprut has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Sykloniis looking to pass into half guard but Ciprut pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ciprut is in guard.

Sykloni working for a triangle but Ciprut defends it easily.

Sykloni is looking for a triangle but Ciprut pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ciprut gets to his feet - Sykloni follows without any prompting.
Kingsley Ciprut has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sykloni keeps the fight on the outside.
Sykloni scores with a jab to the body.
Sykloni swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ciprut gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sykloni.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sykloni tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sykloni throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sykloni scores with a push kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Sykloni showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sykloni, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 50:45
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Sykloni!
Sami Sykloni retains his light heavyweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Sami Sykloni thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.