PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aristotle Polidori (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think David might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Who - Baba O'Riley. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

David
vs
Polidori

190 cm
48
218 lbs
29 - 32 - 0

188 cm
29
220 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Experienced

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 32 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Craig David!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Aristotle Polidori!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
David throws out a loose jab but Polidori uses good head movement to avoid it.

Polidori shoots in and bounces David off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Polidori trying to control but David is working from the bottom.
Polidori lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Polidori won't allow David to sweep him here.
David avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Polidori stopping the sweep attempt from David.
David avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Polidori stopping the sweep attempt from David.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Polidori landing with the ground and pound.
Polidori landing with the ground and pound.
Polidori lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polidori with a nice head shot there.
Polidori trying to control the position from guard on top but David is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
David wants to sweep but no luck.
Polidori loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Polidori has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Polidori wants to control from the top but David keeps moving.
Polidori postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Polidori working some strikes from top position.

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

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.
Polidori stopping the sweep attempt from David.
Polidori trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
David wants to improve his position but instead Polidori has moved into half guard.
Polidori lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Polidori lands a nice short elbow.
Polidori scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Polidori is nestled in close to David, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Polidori missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Polidori scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nice strikes from Polidori there.
Polidori drops an elbow to the side of David's head.
David is not content to let Polidori control the position.
Polidori is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Polidori is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

David is defending against the submission attempts here by Polidori.
Polidori trying to control the action but David is working from the bottom.
Polidori is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
David is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Polidori scores with a couple of nice shots.
David is looking for a sweep. Polidori is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Polidori working the head and body with strikes.
David is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Polidori.
David on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
David wants to control but Polidori is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Polidori thows a huge punch but David dodges it nicely.
Polidori lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
David is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Polidori is thwarting David's attempts to control the position.
Polidori wants to take a breather but David is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Polidori is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Polidori not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aristotle Polidori dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

David attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

David has Polidori up against the cage in a clinch.
Polidori is looking for a takedown up against the cage. David gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Polidori as David tries to tie him up.
Polidori drops to a knee looking for a takedown but David gets the underhooks and prevents it.
David misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Polidori.
Polidori is trying to drag David to the mat but David just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Craig David has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aristotle Polidori.
Polidori is looking for a takedown up against the cage. David gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Polidori wants a takedown.
David is pressed up against the cage. Polidori has hold of a leg and is looking to drag David down to the mat. David avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
David throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Polidori looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
David fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Polidori is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polidori gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and David counters with a lovely shot to the body.
David misses with a two punch combination.
David moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Polidori misses with a few strikes there.
David connects with a body shot that sends Polidori's belly button to the back.
David defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Polidori.
Good leg kick by David there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Polidori shoots in and bounces David off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Polidori is pushing down on David's leg trying to pass to half guard. David is fighting to maintain full guard but Polidori has managed to sneak the leg through.
David is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Polidori trying to control from half guard but David is working away.
Polidori drops an elbow to the side of David's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
David slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Polidori slips nicely into half guard.
David wants to control but Polidori is keeping busy and won't allow it.
David moves into full guard.
David trying to control the position here.
Polidori in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Polidori postures up in David's guard and throws a big left but David blocks it.
Polidori throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as David works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polidori landing some decent shots from guard.
David looking for a sweep. Not yet David, not yet.
David is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Polidori throws a big right hand that misses.
Polidori lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Polidori working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Polidori lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Polidori won't allow David to sweep him here.
Polidori has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Polidori 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.
David is trying to hold Polidori in close to prevent damage but Polidori has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David wants to get back to full guard.
Polidori missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Polidori prevents David from improving his position.
Polidori missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Polidori lands a nice short elbow.
Aristotle Polidori has got the better of the ground game so far.
Polidori prevents David from improving his position.
Polidori throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Polidori missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
David taking some punishment here, with Polidori in his half guard.
Polidori performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
David is refusing to be controlled, as Polidori sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Craig David will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

David tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Polidori shoots in for a takedown but David shows good takedown defense.
David fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Polidori on the side of the head.
David thumps Polidori with a low kick.
David dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Polidori. That did some damage!
David leaves Polidori with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Polidori looking to score a takedown here. David is defending well but Polidori drives through and ends up in David's guard.
David utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Polidori is looking to work some ground and pound but David has wrist control.
Polidori's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Polidori trying to control the position from guard on top but David is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
David wants to sweep but no luck.
David seems keen to control Polidori's posture.
David working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Polidori.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David controls Polidori momentarily but Polidori frees himself.
Polidori stands up over David, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
David trying to keep a closed guard but Polidori is proving a slippery customer.
Polidori trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Polidori is looking to work some ground and pound but David has wrist control.
Polidori throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A bone on bone clash there as Polidori blocks the leg kick.
Polidori uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from David.
Polidori throws a counter combo.
David misses the shot to the body.
Despite the aggression on Polidori's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Polidori looks for a takedown but David sprawls well.
Craig David has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aristotle Polidori.

David tries to sprawl but Polidori drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polidori looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks David with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Polidori working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
David trying to hold on to Polidori's head to control him but Polidori postures up.
David tries to get to full guard but Polidori has control of the leg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Polidori throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Polidori winds up and cracks David with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Polidori looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
David is trying to get back to full guard.
David taking some punishment here, with Polidori in his half guard.

David is rocked!
Polidori lands with a punch from half guard.
Oh David is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polidori lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt David quite badly. David pulls Polidori in close trying to recover. Polidori postures up and lands two really hard shots that put David on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but David doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Aristotle Polidori!
During a confident post fight interview, Aristotle Polidori thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.