PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stratton Hartford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinnie Sinistra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vinnie Sinistra told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hartford
vs
Sinistra

190 cm
23
170 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

182 cm
24
179 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hellraiser FightGear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stratton Hartford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vinnie Sinistra!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hartford shoots in and bounces Sinistra off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Sinistra had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hartford defends it easily.

Sinistra had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hartford defends it easily.
Hartford controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hartford wants to control from the top but Sinistra keeps moving.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hartford fails with a takedown attempt.
Sinistra throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sinistra fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Hartford darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hartford is taking a breather. Sinistra says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Hartford works his way into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartford looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sinistra really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hartford controlling the position easily from mount.
Sinistra is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hartford looking to control but Sinistra is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Hartford controlling from mount.
Hartford has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hartford wants to control the pace but Sinistra is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Stratton Hartford wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sinistra scores with a jab to the head.
Hartford throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice shot by Hartford.
No joy there for Sinistra, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vinnie Sinistra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hartford looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sinistra!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sinistra is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Sinistra manages to get to full guard.
Hartford wants to control from the top but Sinistra keeps moving.

Sinistra escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hartford gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Hartford avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hartford slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sinistra keeping moving, preventing Hartford from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at Bloodsport Gym 16 Elites inform us that Sinistra has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartford seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sinistra throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sinistra looks to land a combination but Hartford avoids it well.

Hartford drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sinistra keeping moving, preventing Hartford from controlling successfully.
Hartford showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Sinistra has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hartford can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hartford has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sinistra is proving hard to escape from.
Hartford engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Stratton Hartford wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Sinistra stuffs the takedown.
Sinistra pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Hartford closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sinistra quickly recovers to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hartford scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Sinistra looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hartford wants to take a breather but Sinistra is having none of it.

Sinistra is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hartford pulls his head out easily.
Hartford really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hartford tries to pass to full mount but Sinistra defends it.

Sinistra is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hartford pulls his head out easily.
Hartford seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sinistra does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sinistra tries to roll over but Hartford keeps him under control.
Hartford controlling the action here.
Sinistra is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sinistra throws a jab when Hartford was well out of range.
Sinistra misses with a looping left.
Hartford fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sinistra thows a body shot but no joy.
Sinistra slaps away a takedown attempt from Hartford, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Hartford has managed to clinch.
Sinistra tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hartford slowing the pace effectively.
Sinistra tries to break the clinch but Hartford is controlling the position.
Sinistra missing with knees to the body.
Hartford pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sinistra tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartford effectively controlling the action here.
Sinistra fails to pull guard.
Stratton Hartford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vinnie Sinistra.
Sinistra tries to pull guard but Hartford holds him up against the cage and eventually Sinistra drops back down to his feet.
Sinistra jumps guard but Hartford turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sinistra jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hartford walks away with a smile on his face. Sinistra gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hartford darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sinistra is not content to let Hartford control the position.
Hartford is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Sinistra looking for submissions off his back.
Hartford lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Sinistra actively working from the bottom here.
Hartford is trying to control. Sinistra wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Still in half guard, Hartford seems content to control.
Sinistra is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartford content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

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

Hartford closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hartford lands in his opponent's guard.
Hartford slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sinistra keeping moving, preventing Hartford from controlling successfully.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

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

Sinistra looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hartford is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hartford shoots in for a takedown but Sinistra shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sinistra just misses with a punch to the body.

Hartford decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sinistra looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hartford wants to free his trapped foot but Sinistra is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hartford lands with a punch from half guard.
Hartford takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sinistra is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hartford looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hartford is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sinistra!
Sinistra can't escape the position.
Hartford dominating with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stratton Hartford dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fighters circling - Sinistra throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sinistra throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hartford counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Hartford scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sinistra gets back to half guard.
Sinistra has hold of Hartford's hands but Hartford slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sinistra is looking to improve his position.
Hartford looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hartford seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sinistra does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Hartford is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Sinistra is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hartford pulls his head out easily.
Hartford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sinistra keeps working.

Sinistra looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hartford stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sinistra tries to roll over but Hartford keeps him under control.
Sinistra gets back to full guard.
Hartford trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sinistra's guard.
Hartford is stalling in the full guard.
Hartford trying to control the position from guard on top but Sinistra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stratton Hartford wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sinistra throws an overhand right that lands on Hartford's shoulder, as Hartford tries to avoid the shot.
Sinistra throws a good cross that connects.
Stratton Hartford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sinistra misses with a wild body shot.
Sinistra throws a series of punches but Hartford avoids them all with ease.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sinistra enables Hartford to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sinistra manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hartford controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sinistra escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hartford gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sinistra being controlled here, momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Stratton Hartford wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hartford slips under a jab.

Hartford changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sinistra looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sinistra tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hartford wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hartford controlling the position from side mount.
Hartford tries to move into full mount but can't pass Sinistra's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartford lands an elbow.
Sinistra is looking for a sweep.
Sinistra sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Sinistra wants to get back to full guard.
Hartford slows the pace down in half guard.
Sinistra is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hartford is trying to control. Sinistra wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sinistra is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hartford pulls his head out easily.
Hartford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sinistra keeps working.
Hartford passes the guard and advances to mount!
Hartford sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sinistra is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hartford looking to control and managing it successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sinistra sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Sinistra on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hartford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sinistra keeps working.
Hartford looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sinistra wants to get back to full guard.
Hartford controlling the pace.

Stratton Hartford has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hartford tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sinistra sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hartford somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stratton Hartford 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.

Sinistra keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hartford changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sinistra tries to avoid it but Hartford manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sinistra to the ground. Sinistra escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sinistra defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hartford.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stratton Hartford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hartford avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hartford throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sinistra fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hartford manages to avoid it.
Sinistra misses with a few strikes there.
Sinistra misses with a looping right.

Sinistra gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hartford to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Sinistra looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hartford showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Sinistra had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hartford defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hartford got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sinistra has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hartford has managed to get both his arms back between Sinistra's legs - danger averted.
Sinistra is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hartford looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Hartford got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sinistra has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hartford has managed to get both his arms back between Sinistra's legs - danger averted.
Hartford trying to control the position from guard on top but Sinistra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hartford wanted to stand there but Sinistra had control of the position.
Hartford is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Sinistra is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hartford is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartford is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Sinistra is looking for a triangle but Hartford pushes his legs off easily.
Hartford showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Sinistra has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hartford can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hartford slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Stratton Hartford.
Sinistra throws a nice looking combination but Hartford bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sinistra displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Hartford has Sinistra up against the cage in a clinch.
Sinistra tries to pull guard but Hartford forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sinistra tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sinistra is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Sinistra is trying to pull guard but Hartford has him pressed against the cage.
Hartford displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sinistra up against the cage.
Sinistra tries to pull guard but Hartford forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Sinistra tries to pull guard but Hartford holds him up against the cage and eventually Sinistra drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sinistra tries to pull guard but Hartford won't allow it.
Hartford leaning against his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sinistra tries to pull guard but Hartford holds him up against the cage and eventually Sinistra drops back down to his feet.
Hartford holding his opponent close, against the cage.
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 Stratton Hartford will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

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

Sinistra is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hartford pulls his head out easily.

Sinistra has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Hartford. Oh but Sinistra has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Hartford goes limp - he's gone! Sinistra jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Vinnie Sinistra!
Vinnie Sinistra made sure to mention his sponsor, Hellraiser FightGear in his post fight interview.