PBP Commentary

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

Delgado
vs
Ciccone

168 cm
32
156 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

176 cm
27
157 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Esteban Delgado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Enrico Ciccone!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Atkins and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Delgado misses with a low kick as Ciccone jumps back.
Ciccone shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ciccone looks to score with a jab to the body but Delgado is just out of range.

Delgado moves into the clinch successfully.
Ciccone wants a takedown.

Delgado gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Ciccone regains guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Delgado trying to control the position from guard on top but Ciccone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ciccone escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Delgado gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Delgado is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Delgado distracts Ciccone with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Ciccone had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Delgado defends it easily.
Delgado trying to control but Ciccone is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Delgado content to stall in guard here.
Ciccone looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Delgado lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Delgado not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Delgado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ciccone looking to hit a scissor sweep but Delgado is one step ahead there.
Delgado trying to control the position from guard on top but Ciccone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Delgado missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Delgado with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ciccone keeping moving, preventing Delgado from controlling successfully.
Delgado scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Delgado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Delgado landing with the ground and pound.
Delgado postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Delgado with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

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

Ciccone has his foot on Delgado's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Delgado works his way back into a safe position though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ciccone not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Delgado wants to control from the top but Ciccone keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ciccone is on top in guard.
Delgado is pulling down on Ciccone's head to control his posture.
Ciccone stopping the sweep attempt from Delgado.
Delgado seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Delgado keeping moving, preventing Ciccone from controlling successfully.
Delgado manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Delgado looking to control but Ciccone is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ciccone keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Ciccone defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Delgado.
Delgado connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Delgado tries to control but Ciccone wriggling away.
Delgado is really struggling to control Ciccone but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Delgado dominating with strikes here.
Delgado prevents Ciccone from getting the reversal.
Delgado is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ciccone can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Delgado raining down shots from the mount!

Delgado is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Ciccone is surviving well by controlling Delgado's body position as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Delgado lands a heavy elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ciccone tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ciccone is still trying to improve position.
Ciccone bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Ciccone throws a big elbow that misses.
Delgado seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Delgado has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ciccone distracts Delgado with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ciccone tries to free his leg and advance position but Delgado is retaining full guard.
Delgado 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.
Delgado working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esteban Delgado dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ciccone shoots and misses

and Delgado counters by moving into the clinch.
Delgado misses with a punch to the body.
Delgado lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Delgado lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Delgado there.
Delgado trying to control the action but Ciccone is working from the bottom.

Ciccone actively working from the bottom here.
Delgado missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Delgado drops an elbow to the side of Ciccone's head.
Delgado trying to control from half guard but Ciccone is working away.
Ciccone is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Delgado scores with a couple of nice shots.

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

Ciccone looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ciccone moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Delgado stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ciccone swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Delgado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Delgado has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ciccone wants to sweep but no luck.

Ciccone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Delgado stands up over Ciccone, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Delgado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Delgado looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ciccone 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.
Delgado trying to control but Ciccone is working from the bottom.

Ciccone has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Delgado is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ciccone.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciccone sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Delgado seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ciccone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Delgado is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ciccone is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Delgado takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
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!

Delgado is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ciccone defends it well.
Delgado prevents Ciccone from improving his position.

Ciccone is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Delgado pulls his head out easily.
Ciccone is not content to let Delgado control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Delgado controlling the action here.

Ciccone actively working from the bottom here.
Delgado trying to control the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Esteban Delgado wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Ciccone misses with a takedown
and Delgado cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A slapping leg kick lands for Delgado.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Delgado, right into the meat.
Delgado throws a body punch but Ciccone moves out of range.
Delgado swings for the body but Ciccone moves out of range.
Ciccone uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Delgado.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ciccone.
Esteban Delgado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Enrico Ciccone.
Ciccone shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Delgado counters with a stiff right hand.
Delgado misses with a leg kick.
Delgado motions for Ciccone to come forward. Delgado throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ciccone gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Delgado counters with a body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ciccone shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Delgado pinned against the cage. Delgado gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Delgado misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Delgado throws a low kick but Ciccone avoids it.
Ciccone gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Delgado counters with a good low kick that Ciccone was not able to check.
Delgado throws a low kick but Ciccone avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esteban Delgado dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ciccone moves to clinch but Delgado breaks away

and Delgado counters by clinching up.
Ciccone managing to block the knees to the body from Delgado.
Ciccone wants a takedown but no success here.
Delgado stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Delgado gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Ciccone looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ciccone is trying to get back to full guard.
Delgado takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Delgado is trying to control. Ciccone wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Delgado lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Delgado is keen to just control but Ciccone is a slippery customer.
Ciccone tries to get to full guard but Delgado has control of the leg.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ciccone is refusing to be controlled, as Delgado sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Esteban Delgado just wasn't active enough.
An inside leg kick lands from Delgado.
Delgado misses with an uppercut. Ciccone saw that one coming.

Ciccone tries to keep at a distance but Delgado has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ciccone tries to score a body lock takedown but Delgado shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Delgado prevents a takedown attempt there.
Esteban Delgado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Enrico Ciccone.
Ciccone goes for a takedown in the clinch but Delgado prevents it.
Delgado digs a right hand into Ciccone's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ciccone's gas tank.

Delgado gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Ciccone regains guard.
Delgado's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Delgado lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Delgado throwing strikes from guard but Ciccone blocks nicely.
Delgado trying to control the position from guard on top but Ciccone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Delgado works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Delgado lands a nice short elbow.
Well, if Delgado is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Delgado throwing shots but Ciccone is blocking nicely.
Delgado seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ciccone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Delgado missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Delgado is taking a breather. Ciccone 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.

Delgado is trying to work for a kimura but Ciccone is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ciccone makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ciccone.
Delgado tries to free his leg and advance position but Ciccone is retaining full guard.
Delgado postures up in Ciccone's guard and throws a big left but Ciccone blocks it.
Esteban Delgado overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ciccone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Delgado.

Ciccone is looking for a triangle but Delgado pushes his legs off easily.
Ciccone keeping moving, preventing Delgado from controlling successfully.

Ciccone is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Delgado defends well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Delgado accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ciccone is looking to sweep but instead, Delgado has passed into half guard.
Delgado not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Delgado seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ciccone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Delgado in particular looking to stall.
Delgado throwing shots but Ciccone is blocking nicely.
Delgado is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Delgado is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Delgado is looking to take a break and control but Ciccone is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Delgado tries to pass to full mount but Ciccone defends it.
Ciccone is looking for a sweep. Delgado is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Delgado trying to control the action but Ciccone is working from the bottom.

Ciccone actively working from the bottom here.
Ciccone is not content to let Delgado control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esteban Delgado clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Delgado dips to his left and cracks Ciccone with an uppercut!
Delgado lands with a slapping head kick.
Enrico Ciccone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ciccone darts in looking for a takedown but Delgado gets double underhooks and turns Ciccone into the cage.
Ciccone changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Delgado fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Delgado drives through with a takedown into guard.
Delgado engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Delgado wants to control from the top but Ciccone keeps moving.
Delgado throwing strikes but missing.
Delgado is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Delgado is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Delgado landing with the ground and pound.

Ciccone looking for a guillotine here but Delgado defends easily.
Ciccone keeping moving, preventing Delgado from controlling successfully.

Ciccone has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Delgado can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Delgado 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.

Ciccone looking for a triangle here. Delgado is fighting it but it looks tight! Ciccone pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Delgado is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Enrico Ciccone!