PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Manol Sirakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rinto Hartanto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rinto Hartanto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sirakov
vs
Hartanto

180 cm
25
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manol Sirakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rinto Hartanto!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Ben Hemmingworth and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sirakov fails to land the takedown.

Sirakov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Sirakov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sirakov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sirakov trying to control the position but Hartanto is working away.
Hartanto struggling a bit here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hartanto can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sirakov taking a breather here.
Hartanto can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sirakov is looking to take a break and control but Hartanto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Sirakov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Sirakov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sirakov controlling the position from side mount.
Hartanto has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
You can see the frustration on Hartanto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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

Hartanto throws Sirakov to one side and escapes!
Hartanto looks to land a right hand but Sirakov moved out of range.
Sirakov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hartanto defends well and Sirakov ends up having to push Hartanto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirakov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hartanto but Hartanto pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manol Sirakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Sirakov with that takedown attempt.
Hartanto looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hartanto misses with a head kick.
Sirakov attempts a counter takedown but Hartanto avoids it well and moves away.
Hartanto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hartanto tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hartanto throws the left hand but Sirakov avoids the punch easily.
Sirakov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hartanto sprawls and moves away.
Sirakov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hartanto's waist but Hartanto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sirakov off to one side.
Sirakov is breathing heavily.
Sirakov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hartanto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sirakov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hartanto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sirakov staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sirakov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hartanto defends well and Sirakov ends up having to push Hartanto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A little jabbing left from Hartanto on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hartanto jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sirakov dives in and grabs Hartanto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hartanto pushes down on Sirakov's head and hops out.
Sirakov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hartanto lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hartanto scores with a nice right hand.
Sirakov defending well as Hartanto loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hartanto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hartanto shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hartanto showed some decent athleticism there.

Hartanto is trying to work for a kimura but Sirakov is defending well.
Sirakov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sirakov trying to control but Hartanto postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hartanto throws a jab when Sirakov was well out of range.
Sirakov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hartanto is fending him off so far but Sirakov persists. Nope, Hartanto circles away and we're back to standing.
Hartanto just misses with a punch to the body.
Sirakov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hartanto.
Hartanto slaps away a takedown attempt from Sirakov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sirakov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hartanto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hartanto with the counter takedown but Sirakov avoids it easily.
Sirakov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hartanto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hartanto throws an overhand right that lands on Sirakov's shoulder, as Sirakov tries to avoid the shot.
Hartanto throws a body punch but Sirakov moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hartanto throws a hook to the side of Sirakov's head but Sirakov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Sirakov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hartanto is not content to let Sirakov control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Hartanto gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Sirakov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hartanto defends it well.
Hartanto pushes Sirakov off looking to stand but Sirakov dives back in and keeps control.
Sirakov is keen to just control but Hartanto is a slippery customer.
Hartanto tries to roll over but Sirakov keeps him under control.
Sirakov is thwarting Hartanto's attempts to control the position.

That's two 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.
Sirakov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sirakov wants to control but Hartanto is keeping him busy.
Hartanto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sirakov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sirakov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hartanto might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sirakov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It seemed like Hartanto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manol Sirakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sirakov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hartanto avoids it really well and circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirakov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sirakov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hartanto stuffs the takedown attempt from Sirakov. Sirakov gets slowly back to his feet.
Hartanto lands a slapping body shot.
Hartanto misses the jab.
Manol Sirakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sirakov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rinto Hartanto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sirakov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nice sprawl there from Hartanto as Sirakov shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartanto throws a head kick that misses.
Sirakov attempts a counter takedown but Hartanto avoids it well and moves away.
Hartanto defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sirakov.
Manol Sirakov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sirakov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hartanto.
A jab lands there for Hartanto.
Hartanto throws a shot to the body.
Sirakov takes one to the chin there.
Sirakov closes the distance and clinches up with Hartanto, looking for a takedown. Sirakov pushes Hartanto against the cage but Hartanto circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hartanto shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hartanto was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hartanto in side control, just content to control the action for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rinto Hartanto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hartanto throws a jab when Sirakov was well out of range.
Sirakov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hartanto counters with a straight right hand.
A jab from Hartanto does it's job there.
Sirakov dives in and grabs Hartanto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hartanto pushes down on Sirakov's head and hops out.
Sirakov dives in for a single leg takedown but Hartanto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hartanto changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manol Sirakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A swing and a miss from Hartanto.
Hartanto paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hartanto misses with a hook.
Sirakov tries for a takedown but Hartanto circles away easily
letting Hartanto counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sirakov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sirakov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hartanto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sirakov at a distance.
Sirakov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jab by Hartanto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartanto bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hartanto lands with a hook. Sirakov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sirakov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hartanto misses with a hook. Sirakov ducked under it nicely.
Good exchange - Hartanto coming out on top.
Hartanto misses with a body shot.
Sirakov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sirakov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sirakov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sirakov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice uppercut there from Hartanto.
Hartanto scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hartanto getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartanto misses the shot to the body.
Sirakov with a poor takedown

so Hartanto counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hartanto drops back looking for a leg! Sirakov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sirakov manages to kick Hartanto off! Hartanto jumps back into Sirakov's guard.
Hartanto really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sirakov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sirakov keeping moving, preventing Hartanto from controlling successfully.
Hartanto controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirakov has a closed guard, preventing Hartanto from standing up.
Rinto Hartanto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Sirakov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sirakov working a defensive guard here.

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.
Sirakov keeping moving, preventing Hartanto from controlling successfully.

Sirakov is looking for a triangle but Hartanto pushes his legs off easily.
Sirakov wants to sweep here but Hartanto controlling him for the moment.
Hartanto tries to stand but Sirakov is controlling from the bottom.
Manol Sirakov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hartanto controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rinto Hartanto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hartanto has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rinto Hartanto!
Rinto Hartanto decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.