PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Claude Sexton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Poe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Claude Sexton has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Sexton
vs
Poe

213 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

155 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Claude Sexton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Leo Poe!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Eliza Hachem and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sexton fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sexton shoots in but no luck this time.
Poe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Poe looks to land a right hand but Sexton moved out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Sexton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Poe as he jumps to the side.
Sexton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Poe.
Poe throws an overhand right that lands on Sexton's shoulder, as Sexton tries to avoid the shot.
Poe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Good work by Sexton as he checks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sexton really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Poe misses with a low kick.
As Poe tries to get set, Sexton tries to push him back and clinch up but Poe manages to avoid the attempt.
Sexton takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Sexton throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Poe tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sexton is in Poe's guard.
Sexton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sexton wants to control from the top but Poe keeps moving.
Poe wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Sexton looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Sexton has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Poe looking for a sweep. Not yet Poe, not yet.

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

Sexton stands and steps away. Poe gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Poe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sexton counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Poe!
Poe pushes Sexton away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sexton gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Sexton stands up and beckons Poe to his feet.
Poe throws the kick towards the body but Sexton avoids it.
Poe should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Sexton ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A lazy left from Poe finds it's target.
Poe throws a push kick but Sexton slaps the foot to one side.
Poe misses with a straight right.
Poe throws an overhand right that lands on Sexton's shoulder, as Sexton tries to avoid the shot.
Poe throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sexton lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Sexton shoots in but Poe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claude Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Poe.
Decent striking displayed by Poe there.
Sexton moves in looking to clinch but Poe pushes him off.
Poe only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Poe.
Poe throws a leg kick but Sexton moved away.
Poe stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Poe wants it to stay on the feet.
Poe's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sexton under the eye.

Sexton is rocked!
Sexton blocks a head kick by Poe.
Oh Sexton is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Poe looks winded!
An inside leg kick lands from Poe.
Sexton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Poe throws out the jab.

Sexton gets a double leg takedown into Poe's guard.
Poe wants to stand but Sexton is controlling the position.
Sexton won't allow Poe to sweep him here.
Sexton sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poe wants to stand and escape but Sexton is having none of it.
Sexton content to stall in guard here.
Sexton seems to have got his legs back now.
Sexton stops Poe from standing up.
Poe is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sexton controlling from the top position.
Sexton is standing up over Poe. Poe looks to escape but Sexton dives into side control.

Sexton decides to take the fight back to the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Poe dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sexton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Poe as he avoids it easily.
A shot to the liver by Poe. Beautiful body shot.
Poe throws a head kick that misses.
Poe throws a wild body kick that Sexton sees coming a mile off.
It looked like Sexton wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Poe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Poe lands a nice looking body kick.
Sexton blocks a head kick by Poe.
Poe swings for the body but Sexton moves out of range.
Poe throws a jab when Sexton was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Poe.
Poe is breathing heavily.
Poe throws a sloppy head kick and Sexton moves out of range easily.
Poe throws a leg kick
and Sexton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Leo Poe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice shot by Poe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poe misses with a head kick.

Poe gets caught flat footed, as Sexton shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Sexton decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Poe, up you get!
Sexton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Poe sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Sexton closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sexton lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Poe is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sexton controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Poe seems keen to control Sexton's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton 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.
Sexton's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Sexton stops Poe from standing up.
Poe trying to keep a closed guard but Sexton is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sexton slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Poe wants to stand and escape but Sexton is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Poe cracks the inside of Sexton's front leg.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown but Poe shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claude Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sexton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Poe throws a leg kick
and Sexton counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poe throws a shot from downtown. Sexton moves away and avoids it.
Sexton is looking to counter punch.
Poe scoring well with a low kick there.
Poe throws a nice looking combination but Sexton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Poe throws a low kick but Sexton moves out of range easily.
Poe tries to land a leg kick but Sexton saw it coming and moves away.
Leo Poe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Poe misses with a looping left.

Sexton rushes Poe and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Poe is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Poe with an attempt at a knee that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Poe 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! And we move into the final round!

Poe throws a sloppy head kick and Sexton moves out of range easily.
No luck for Sexton with that takedown attempt.
Poe misses with a hook to the body

and Sexton counters with a takedown into side control.
Sexton content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Poe struggling a bit here.

Sexton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Poe knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sexton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Poe knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poe is trying to improve his position.
Sexton wants to control but Poe is keeping him busy.

Sexton decides to stand up, so the ref orders Poe to his feet.
Poe misses with a head kick.
Poe delivers a nice body kick.
Sexton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poe stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Poe wants it to stay on the feet.
It seemed like Poe was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Claude Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Poe thuds his shin into the meat of Sexton's side.
Poe feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sexton's calf.
That kick from Poe tenderised Sexton's leg. Sexton is trying to keep his angry face on.
Poe throws a looping overhand right but Sexton ducks down to avoid it.
Poe throws a lazy right hand but Sexton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sexton looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Poe throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sexton counters with a straight right hand.
Poe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sexton looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Sexton shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Poe's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Poe managing to control the position.
Sexton won't allow Poe to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Poe is working an open guard so Sexton takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Leo Poe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sexton ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Poe tries to land a leg kick but Sexton saw it coming and moves away.
Poe misses with a leg kick.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Poe as he avoids it easily.

Poe gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sexton to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Poe controls Sexton momentarily but Sexton frees himself.
Leo Poe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sexton is controlling him.
Poe looking for a sweep. Not yet Poe, not yet.
Sexton controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Further stalling from Sexton.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Poe manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Claude Sexton.
I think Poe 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Poe!