PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John McEnnedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Sykes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McEnnedy
vs
Sykes

170 cm
22
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Dragon

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 Hilo, John McEnnedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Sykes!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McEnnedy throws out a loose jab but Sykes uses good head movement to avoid it.

Sykes closes the distance and clinches.
McEnnedy is looking for a takedown.
McEnnedy tries to land knees in the clinch but Sykes avoids the damage to the body.
Sykes takes an elbow to the temple.
McEnnedy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sykes's efforts to push away.
McEnnedy lands an elbow just above Sykes 's eye.
Sykes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables McEnnedy to keep the fight standing.
McEnnedy managing to block the knees to the body from Sykes.
Sykes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Sykes ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sykes no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
McEnnedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Sykes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sykes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McEnnedy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McEnnedy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McEnnedy wants to control from the top but Sykes keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykes looking to control.
McEnnedy wants to control from the top but Sykes keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of John McEnnedy.

Sykes drives through and clinches with McEnnedy against the cage.
Sykes is trying to force a seperation but McEnnedy has the dominant position.
Sykes avoids a wild elbow strike from McEnnedy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McEnnedy has him pressed against the cage.
Sykes takes an elbow to the temple.
McEnnedy pushes off an throws an elbow but Sykes leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Sykes just leaning against McEnnedy, taking a breather.
McEnnedy lands an elbow inside.
Sykes goes for a takedown in the clinch but McEnnedy prevents it.
John McEnnedy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Sykes.
Sykes managing to block the knees to the body from McEnnedy.
Sykes takes an elbow to the temple.
McEnnedy lands a nice elbow.
Nice elbow from McEnnedy.
McEnnedy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sykes managing to block the knees to the body from McEnnedy.
McEnnedy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sykes is defending well for now.
McEnnedy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sykes stalling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sykes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McEnnedy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sykes looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from McEnnedy.

It looks like Mike Sykes has been cut.
Sykes wants to get back to striking at distance but McEnnedy won't allow it.
McEnnedy lands a damaging elbow.
Sykes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McEnnedy smiles and moves away.
McEnnedy misses with a low kick as Sykes jumps back.
John McEnnedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McEnnedy wants to clinch up but Sykes keeps it at a distance.
Nice jab there from McEnnedy.
McEnnedy shoots in looking for a takedown. Sykes tries to sprawl out of it but McEnnedy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sykes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McEnnedy misses with a straight left.
McEnnedy wants to clinch.

Sykes darts in and clinches McEnnedy up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from McEnnedy.
Sykes takes an elbow to the temple.

Sykes is trying to trip McEnnedy. He has hold of a leg but McEnnedy is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Sykes persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Sykes tries to free his leg and advance position but McEnnedy is retaining full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sykes trying to control the position from guard on top but McEnnedy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sykes wants to stand but McEnnedy is controlling his posture from full guard.

Sykes stands up from McEnnedy's guard - Sykes perhaps looking for a knockout.
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 John McEnnedy will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mike Sykes's cut.
That's time! McEnnedy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sykes moves into range and clinches up with McEnnedy.
McEnnedy pushes off an throws an elbow but Sykes leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
McEnnedy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
McEnnedy lands an elbow inside.
McEnnedy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
McEnnedy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McEnnedy lands a damaging elbow.
McEnnedy looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sykes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McEnnedy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sykes managing to block the knees to the body from McEnnedy.
McEnnedy lands an elbow that stopped Sykes in his tracks for a moment.

Sykes has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed McEnnedy clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
McEnnedy is in bad spot here.
Sykes is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McEnnedy trying to control but not successfully.
McEnnedy tries to roll but Sykes sticks to his back.

Sykes is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
McEnnedy looking very determined here, making life difficult for Sykes.
Sykes is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Sykes gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Sykes gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Sykes apologises and we restart here on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykes scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
McEnnedy lands the left hand.
McEnnedy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McEnnedy swings for the body but Sykes moves out of range.
McEnnedy shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sykes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McEnnedy is fending him off so far but Sykes persists. Nope, McEnnedy circles away and we're back to standing.
McEnnedy tries to clinch up but Sykes circles away and keeps his distance.
Sykes shoots in looking for a takedown but McEnnedy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sykes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
John McEnnedy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Sykes.
No joy there for McEnnedy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Good exchange - McEnnedy coming out on top.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sykes is defended easily by McEnnedy.
Sykes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sykes circles away from the clinch attempt.

Sykes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McEnnedy lands a nice elbow.
McEnnedy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sykes.
Sykes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McEnnedy smiles and moves away.
Sykes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sykes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McEnnedy.
McEnnedy tries to clinch but Sykes is having none of it.
McEnnedy is looking to clinch but Sykes is avoiding it.
McEnnedy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good standup being displayed there by McEnnedy as he connects with a hook.
McEnnedy tries to clinch there but Sykes circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Sykes. No joy for McEnnedy on that attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Sykes as McEnnedy shoots in.
McEnnedy misses with an uppercut.
Sykes slips a jab from McEnnedy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McEnnedy tries to clinch up

and Sykes counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McEnnedy is trying to control Sykes's posture but Sykes avoids it.
Sykes postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
McEnnedy prevents Sykes from moving into mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sykes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McEnnedy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
McEnnedy is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that John McEnnedy will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mike Sykes's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McEnnedy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sykes tries to avoid it but McEnnedy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sykes to the ground. Sykes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McEnnedy misses with a wild body shot.
McEnnedy misses with a double jab.
A combination from McEnnedy does no damage.
McEnnedy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sykes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McEnnedy punishes Sykes's body with a nice straight punch.
McEnnedy lands with a hook. Sykes tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A big right from McEnnedy misses.
Sykes tries a head kick but it misses.
Sykes misses with a kick to the body.
Mike Sykes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McEnnedy cracks Sykes with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
McEnnedy looks to score with a jab to the body but Sykes is just out of range.
McEnnedy misses with a two punch combination.
McEnnedy swings for the body but Sykes moves out of range.
Sykes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McEnnedy throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McEnnedy throws a lazy uppercut

and Sykes counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykes trying to control the position but McEnnedy is working away.
McEnnedy is being controlled here.

Sykes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sykes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sykes working the ground and pound but McEnnedy is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McEnnedy is not content to let Sykes control the position.
Sykes throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McEnnedy is not content to let Sykes control the position.

Sykes tries for a kimura but McEnnedy is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykes tries to stand but McEnnedy controls the position and pulls Sykes into his guard.
Sykes trying to control the position from guard on top but McEnnedy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sykes looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
McEnnedy looking to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sykes looks to land a right hand but McEnnedy moved out of range.
McEnnedy misses with a left hand

and Sykes counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sykes.
Sykes avoids a wild elbow strike from McEnnedy.
McEnnedy is trying to maintain a safe position but Sykes gets an underhook and turns McEnnedy into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McEnnedy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McEnnedy lands a damaging elbow.
Mike Sykes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John McEnnedy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McEnnedy lands a nice elbow.
Sykes misses with a shot to the kidneys.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Sykes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McEnnedy has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John McEnnedy!