PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gary Tonon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Sito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sito has chosen DMX - What's my name? as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Tonon
vs
Sito

174 cm
21
161 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

172 cm
22
157 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gary Tonon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Sito!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Eddie Farnsworth and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sito throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tonon counters with a straight right hand.
Sito misses with a straight left.
Sito throws a leg kick which misses Tonon's front leg but catches the back leg as Tonon tries to avoid it.
Sito ducks under a wild hook from Tonon.
Sito now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Tonon misses with a right hand
and Sito counters with a leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Sito there.
Sito closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sito is looking to land body kicks.
Sito connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tonon momentarily.
Sito jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tonon just misses with a punch to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sito enables Tonon to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sito manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Tonon tries to free his leg and advance position but Sito is retaining full guard.
Sito is adopting a defensive guard.
Tonon working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sito keeping moving, preventing Tonon from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing good reports from Tonon's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Sito wants to get back to his feet but Tonon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sito pulls Tonon in close to his closed guard and prevents Tonon from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two 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.
Sito wants to get back to his feet but Tonon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sito throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sito connects with a leg kick. Tonon looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tonon throws a predictable looking body shot
and Sito counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tonon takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Tonon crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sito - the referee stops the clock and Tonon gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sito. Tonon manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sito lets loose with a powerful body kick. Tonon will feel that in the morning.
Sito connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tonon's hands.
Tonon scores with a hook.
Sito throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sito scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tonon uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sito.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tonon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sito quickly recovers to half guard.
Tonon throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sito controlling the position for now.

Sito pushes Tonon off and gets back to his feet.
Nice body kick there by Sito.
Sito throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tonon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice uppercut lands for Sito. That snapped Tonon's head back.
Sito displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A good leg kick by Sito.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Sito.
Sito swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tonon.
Sito tries to clinch but Tonon is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tonon misses with a wild body shot.
Sito cracks Tonon with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tonon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sito was well out of range. Poor timing from Tonon.
Robert Sito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
An inside leg kick lands from Sito.
Sito lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sito missing with a left hand there. Tonon was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sito throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sito avoids the body shot from Tonon.
Sito paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sito scores with a jab to the body.
Sito swings for the body but Tonon moves out of range.
Sito cracks Tonon with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sito is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tonon.
Tonon throwing a counter right hand but Sito manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A good leg kick by Sito.
Sito throws a hook but Tonon avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Tonon misses the target.
Tonon displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sito throws out the jab.
Robert Sito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tonon.
Sito struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tonon throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Tonon tries for a kimura but Sito is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sito is looking to regain half guard here but Tonon keeps moving and retains side control.
Sito taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tonon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Tonon is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sito knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sito is looking for a sweep.

Tonon tries for a kimura but Sito is defending well.
Tonon has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sito is not content to let Tonon control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Tonon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gary Tonon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tonon throws an elbow but Sito slips to the side and avoids it well.
Tonon wants to control but Sito is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Sito's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tonon tries to score with some ground and pound. Sito controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Tonon working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sito's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sito dodges the ground and pound from Tonon.
Tonon sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Sito is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Sito has one of Tonon's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Tonon working away.
Check out the look on Tonon's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Sito really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tonon. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tonon trying to control the action but Sito is working from the bottom.
Tonon scores with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sito tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tonon wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Tonon tries for a kimura but Sito is defending well.
Sito tries to buck Tonon off but Tonon is having none of it.
Sito manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Tonon wants to improve his position but Sito is controlling well.
Sito is taking a breather. Tonon 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tonon is looking to improve his position.
Tonon trying to hold on to Sito's head to control him but Sito postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tonon takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Sito moves into the clinch.
Sito pushes Tonon back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Sito scores with a nice short uppercut.

Tonon gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Sito holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Tonon is trying to work for a kimura but Sito is defending well.
Sito keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sito is not content to let Tonon control the position.
Tonon is pressing down on Sito's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sito is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonon is trying to control. Sito wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sito keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Sito manages to get to full guard.
Sito has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sito pulls Tonon in close to prevent any damage.
Tonon throws an elbow that misses. Sito uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tonon's guard. Nice move by Sito!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tonon tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Tonon has his foot on Sito's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sito works his way back into a safe position though.
Tonon is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Sito gets to his feet - Tonon follows without any prompting.
Sito moves away from the strike by Tonon.
Sito connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sito has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Tonon keeps the fight on the outside.
Tonon is looking to counter punch.
Tonon is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tonon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tonon has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sito looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Robert Sito seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sito lands a leg kick that knocks Tonon off balance momentarily.
Sito lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sito cracks Tonon with a good jab.
Sito looks to land a combination. Tonon sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sito tries to clinch up.
Tonon shoots in looking for a takedown. Sito tries to sprawl out of it but Tonon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sito manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Tonon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sito is looking to slow Tonon down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tonon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sito swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
It looked like Tonon was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sito.
Sito slips under a jab from Tonon.
Sito feints a counter leg kick.
Sito dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tonon. That did some damage!
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!
Tonon shoots in for a double leg but Sito sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sito scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tonon takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sito with a hook.
Sito clobbers Tonon with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sito throws a one two combo.
Sito scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tonon doesn't seem bothered though.
Tonon shoots for a double leg takedown but Sito sprawls well. He's pushed Tonon's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tonon is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sito.
Tonon closes the distance and clinches up with Sito, looking for a takedown. Tonon pushes Sito against the cage but Sito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sito throws a leg kick which misses Tonon's front leg but catches the back leg as Tonon tries to avoid it.
Sito lands a nice looking body shot.
Tonon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sito.
Tonon dives in for a single leg takedown but Sito sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sito looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A swing and a miss from Tonon.
Sito lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tonon has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Tonon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sito scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sito bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tonon blocks a head kick by Sito.
Tonon rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Sito counter with a right hand.
Sito scores with a hook to the body. Tonon takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sito lands a head kick. Tonon smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Sito scores with a hook.
Tonon moves forwards but Sito connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sito fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tonon swings widly with a right hand
and Sito counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sito connects with a single shot there.
Sito lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
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!
Tonon scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sito.
Sito lands a really nice looking cross but Tonon seems unphased.
The crowd cheers as Sito lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tonon doesn't seem phased though.
Sito's jab looks to have found its range, popping Tonon under the eye.
Sito scores with a body shot.
Sito swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sito takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sito cracks a nice hook into Tonon's ribs.
Tonon slips under a jab from Sito.
Sito keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tonon looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tonon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sito but Sito pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tonon moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tonon looks to throw the jab but Sito is out of range.
It seemed like Sito was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sito scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tonon in his tracks.
Sito connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tonon momentarily.
Sito turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tonon closes the distance and clinches up with Sito, looking for a takedown. Tonon pushes Sito against the cage but Sito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A little jabbing left from Sito on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tonon blocks a head kick by Sito.
Tonon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sito.
No luck for Tonon with that takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sito fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sito fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tonon.
Sito keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tonon takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tonon takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sito throws a looping overhand right but Tonon ducks down to avoid it.
Tonon takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sito fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sito pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tonon back to the cage. Sito follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Sito dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sito lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sito slips under a jab from Tonon.
Sito bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sito lands a glancing blow to the side of Tonon's head.
Nice uppercut lands for Sito. That snapped Tonon's head back.
A slow jab from Sito misses its intended target.
Tonon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tonon takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tonon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sito.
Sito displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tonon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sito lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sito connects with an inside leg kick.
Sito scores with a one two! Tonon had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sito looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sito tries to clinch up.
Tonon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sito connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sito blocks a jab.
Sito listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sito misses with a hook. Tonon ducked under it nicely.
Sito throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sito connects with a body shot.
Sito cracks Tonon with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sito swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sito ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sito throws a jab when Tonon was well out of range.
Tonon smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tonon takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sito lands a glancing blow to the side of Tonon's head.
Tonon is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Sito wants to clinch up but Tonon keeps it at a distance.
Sito lands with a straight right. Tonon didn't see that one coming.
Sito connects with a high kick.
Tonon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gary Tonon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tonon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sito quickly recovers to half guard.

Sito makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Sito throws a jab but it's blocked by Tonon.
Sito lands a nice shot to the body.
Sito throws a hook to the side of Tonon's head but Tonon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tonon walks into a stiff left hand from Sito.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown but Sito shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sito looks to land a right hand but Tonon moved out of range.
Sito scores with a nice strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sito tries to sprawl but Tonon drives through with a takedown into half guard.
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.
Sito is looking for a sweep. Tonon is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sito has his hands clasped together around Tonon's back. He's all about the action.

Tonon is looking for a kimura but Sito is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tonon to get the leverage.
Robert Sito is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tonon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sito keeps working.
Sito is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Sito manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Gary Tonon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sito scores with a kick to the midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Sito comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sito 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 45:49
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 45:49
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Sito!
Robert Sito is the new lightweight champion!
After winning the bout, Robert Sito thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.