PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sean Sorrowe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julio Madrigal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Madrigal has chosen Lil Jon-Throw it Up as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Sorrowe
vs
Madrigal

171 cm
26
166 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

178 cm
34
170 lbs
24 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sean Sorrowe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Julio Madrigal!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Bruno Lombardi and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Madrigal throws a right and a left that Sorrowe avoids nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Sorrowe on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sorrowe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Madrigal's corner calls for a 1-2. Madrigal obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sorrowe throws a head kick that misses.
Madrigal scores with a shot to the body.

Sorrowe shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Madrigal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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

Madrigal working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sorrowe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sorrowe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sorrowe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sorrowe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Madrigal looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Madrigal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Madrigal is looking for a triangle but Sorrowe pushes his legs off easily.

Madrigal escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sorrowe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sorrowe has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sorrowe landing with the ground and pound.

Madrigal is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sorrowe defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sorrowe preventing the sweep.

Madrigal looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Madrigal had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sorrowe defends it easily.

Sorrowe got a little sloppy there for a moment and Madrigal has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sorrowe has managed to get both his arms back between Madrigal's legs - danger averted.

Madrigal is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sorrowe defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madrigal keeping moving, preventing Sorrowe from controlling successfully.

Madrigal working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sorrowe has passed into half guard!

Madrigal actively working from the bottom here.

Madrigal looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Madrigal wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Madrigal actively working from the bottom here.
Madrigal moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Madrigal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Madrigal had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sorrowe defends it easily.

Madrigal working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sorrowe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sorrowe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Madrigal is looking for a triangle here but Sorrowe uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Madrigal dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Madrigal connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
We've been told by Sorrowe's head coaches at LOD: Performance Center that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Madrigal throws a jab but it's blocked by Sorrowe.
Sorrowe tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Madrigal manages to circle out of the way.
Sorrowe throws a hook to the side of Madrigal's head but Madrigal sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Madrigal fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sorrowe manages to avoid it.
Madrigal listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Madrigal fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sorrowe sprawls well initially but Madrigal persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Madrigal lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Madrigal looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Madrigal throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sorrowe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Madrigal.
Madrigal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sorrowe trying to control here.
Madrigal working Sorrowe over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madrigal throwing shots but Sorrowe is blocking nicely.

Sorrowe kicks off Madrigal and gets to his feet.
Madrigal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sorrowe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sorrowe swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Madrigal works Sorrowe's body with a nice hook.

Sorrowe shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Madrigal's guard.
Sorrowe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Madrigal swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

Madrigal had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sorrowe defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Madrigal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Madrigal keeping moving, preventing Sorrowe from controlling successfully.
Sorrowe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Madrigal working for a triangle but Sorrowe defends it easily.

Madrigal is looking for a triangle but Sorrowe pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sorrowe throwing strikes but missing.
Sorrowe chips away with some ground and pound.
Julio Madrigal has got the better of the ground game so far.

Madrigal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sorrowe trying to control but Madrigal is working from the bottom.
Sorrowe is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Madrigal is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Madrigal working for a triangle but Sorrowe defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Madrigal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sorrowe wants to control from the top but Madrigal keeps moving.
Sorrowe wants to stand but Madrigal is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sorrowe throws a sloppy head kick and Madrigal moves out of range easily.
Madrigal looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Madrigal slips under a jab from Sorrowe.
Sorrowe throws the kick towards the body but Madrigal avoids it.
Sorrowe misses with a two punch combination.
Sorrowe takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Madrigal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Madrigal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Madrigal takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sorrowe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sorrowe wants to clinch.
Madrigal jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Madrigal misses with a hook.
Madrigal tests Sorrowe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A punch combination from Sorrowe misses.
Sorrowe uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Madrigal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Madrigal dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Madrigal has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sorrowe fails to land with a series of punches.
Sorrowe ducks under a wild hook from Madrigal.
Julio Madrigal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sorrowe looks to score with a jab to the body but Madrigal is just out of range.
Madrigal blocks the body kick.
Madrigal misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Sorrowe.
Sorrowe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And Madrigal tries to counter it with a takedown but Sorrowe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sorrowe moves in looking to clinch but Madrigal pushes him off.

Sorrowe looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Madrigal is looking to improve his position.

Madrigal actively working from the bottom here.
Madrigal wants to get back to full guard.
Well, if Sorrowe 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madrigal wants to improve his position but Sorrowe is controlling well.
Madrigal manages to get to full guard.
Madrigal wants to sweep but no luck.

Madrigal has his foot on Sorrowe's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sorrowe works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Madrigal escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sorrowe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sorrowe wanted to stand there but Madrigal had control of the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Madrigal is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sorrowe is aware though and is defending well.

Madrigal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sorrowe controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sorrowe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sorrowe is looking to clinch.
A cross from Madrigal lands.

Sorrowe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Madrigal sprawls well initially but Sorrowe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Madrigal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Madrigal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Madrigal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sorrowe connects with a nice short shot to Madrigal's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sorrowe seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Madrigal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Sorrowe clearly takes that round.
That's time! Sorrowe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Madrigal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A left lands for Sorrowe.
Sorrowe lands a body shot.
Sean Sorrowe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sorrowe just misses with a punch to the body.
Sorrowe takes a swing at Madrigal's ribcage but misses.
Madrigal on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sorrowe. Sorrowe obviously looking to wear him down.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Madrigal, as that shot connected.
Sorrowe moves in looking to clinch but Madrigal pushes him off.
Madrigal avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sorrowe's jab looks to have found its range, popping Madrigal under the eye.
Sorrowe is looking to clinch.
And Madrigal tries to counter it with a takedown but Sorrowe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sorrowe takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sorrowe throws a sloppy head kick and Madrigal moves out of range easily.
A left and a right from Sorrowe both land. Nice combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sorrowe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Madrigal tries to sprawl but Sorrowe drives through with a takedown into half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madrigal won't allow Sorrowe to pass to mount.
Madrigal wants to get back to full guard.
Madrigal manages to get to full guard.
Sorrowe stopping the sweep attempt from Madrigal.

Madrigal had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sorrowe defends it easily.
Madrigal looking for a sweep. Not yet Madrigal, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Madrigal is looking for a triangle here but Sorrowe uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Madrigal is trying to control Sorrowe's posture but Sorrowe avoids it.
Madrigal is looking to regain half guard here but Sorrowe keeps moving and retains side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Sorrowe.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Madrigal struggling a bit here.
Sorrowe wants to stand but Madrigal is controlling his arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madrigal is trying to improve his position.
Sorrowe is looking to take a break and control but Madrigal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Madrigal is looking to reverse the position.
Sorrowe cracks Madrigal with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Madrigal tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Sorrowe is looking to take a break and control but Madrigal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sorrowe takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Madrigal changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Madrigal thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sorrowe misses with a hook

and Madrigal counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Madrigal.
Madrigal with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Madrigal throws a big elbow that misses.
Madrigal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sorrowe is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Well, if Sorrowe 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.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Madrigal is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Sorrowe had his way with Julio Madrigal in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Sorrowe misses the target.
Madrigal throws a jab but it's blocked by Sorrowe.
A punch combination from Sorrowe misses.
Sorrowe misses with a body kick.
Madrigal throws a jab when Sorrowe was well out of range.
Sorrowe tries to bum rush Madrigal with a series of wild strikes but Madrigal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sorrowe on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Sorrowe shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Madrigal manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Madrigal has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sorrowe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sorrowe stopping the sweep attempt from Madrigal.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Madrigal has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sorrowe can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Madrigal manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sorrowe manages to get himself to full guard.

Madrigal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sorrowe keeping moving, preventing Madrigal from controlling successfully.
Madrigal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sorrowe is keeping the position for now.
Madrigal working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madrigal chips away with some ground and pound.
Madrigal scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Madrigal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sorrowe wants to stand up but Madrigal is controlling him.
Madrigal forces his way into half guard.
Sorrowe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Madrigal.
Madrigal looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Madrigal missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madrigal throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Madrigal is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Madrigal working Sorrowe over with strikes.
Madrigal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sorrowe's head.
Madrigal tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sorrowe knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Madrigal lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Madrigal trying to pass the guard but Sorrowe defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sorrowe is looking for a sweep. Madrigal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sean Sorrowe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sorrowe gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sorrowe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Madrigal moves out of range of the body kick from Sorrowe.

Sorrowe moves into the clinch successfully.
Sorrowe scores with a shoulder strike.
Madrigal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sorrowe blocks a body shot from Madrigal.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Madrigal.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sorrowe misses with the head strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Madrigal trying to control the position but instead, Sorrowe has worked for underhooks and has pushed Madrigal into the cage.
Still in the clinch, Madrigal scores with a nice short uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julio Madrigal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Madrigal 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 47:48
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 47:48
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julio Madrigal!
Julio Madrigal is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Julio Madrigal thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.