PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Strategos Themistokles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Ciprianni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Themistokles
vs
Ciprianni

187 cm
26
218 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

191 cm
26
213 lbs
11 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Strategos Themistokles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Danny Ciprianni!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Albert Achterberg and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ciprianni throws a hook but Themistokles blocks it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ciprianni has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Themistokles throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Themistokles uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ciprianni.
Themistokles misses with a looping left.
A countering left hand to the body from Ciprianni misses.
Themistokles connects with an inside leg kick.
Ciprianni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Themistokles.
Themistokles lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Themistokles walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ciprianni.
Themistokles throws a poor cross that misses
and Ciprianni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Themistokles throws a lazy right hand but Ciprianni sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Themistokles keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ciprianni.
Themistokles swings for the body but Ciprianni moves out of range.
Themistokles misses with a straight left.
Good work by Themistokles as he checks the leg kick.
Ciprianni scores with a one two! Themistokles had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ciprianni moves out of range of the strikes.
Ciprianni avoids a kick to the body.
Themistokles jabs Ciprianni to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Good leg kick by Ciprianni there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciprianni swinging wildly here.
Ciprianni dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Themistokles. That did some damage!
Ciprianni throws a nice outside leg kick.
Themistokles ducks right into an uppercut from Ciprianni.
Themistokles misses with a looping left.
Ciprianni is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Themistokles with a body shot.
Themistokles thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice uppercut there from Ciprianni.
Themistokles lands a front kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Themistokles.
Ciprianni connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ciprianni tries a low kick but Themistokles avoids it.
Ciprianni scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ciprianni throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Themistokles throws a leg kick but Ciprianni sees it coming and checks it nicely.
That kick from Themistokles tenderised Ciprianni's leg. Ciprianni is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ciprianni scores with a sloppy right hand. Themistokles should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciprianni moves out of range of the body kick from Themistokles.
Ciprianni misses with a takedown attempt
and Themistokles counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ciprianni misses with a body shot.
Themistokles misses with an uppercut.
Ciprianni swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ciprianni swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ciprianni takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ciprianni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Themistokles manages to avoid it.
Themistokles works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Themistokles swings for the body but Ciprianni moves out of range.
Ciprianni shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Themistokles as he avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Themistokles on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A good leg kick by Themistokles.
Ciprianni connects with a body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Ciprianni. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ciprianni.
Ciprianni throws a leg kick but Themistokles sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ciprianni dives in for a single leg takedown but Themistokles sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Strategos Themistokles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Ciprianni.
Themistokles keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ciprianni keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Themistokles.
Ciprianni tries a quick counter leg kick but Themistokles is wise to it.
Themistokles walks into a stiff left hand from Ciprianni.
Ciprianni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Themistokles was well out of range. Poor timing from Ciprianni.
A little feinted left hand from Themistokles on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Themistokles lands a leg kick that knocks Ciprianni off balance momentarily.
Ciprianni defending well as Themistokles loads up on a big left hand.
Ciprianni takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ciprianni scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Themistokles takes a swing at Ciprianni's ribcage but misses.
Ciprianni is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Themistokles with a body shot.
Themistokles cracks the inside of Ciprianni's front leg.
Good leg kick by Themistokles there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ciprianni fails to land the takedown.
Themistokles connects with the punch.
Themistokles scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ciprianni throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Themistokles looks to land a body kick but Ciprianni moved away.
Themistokles looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ciprianni is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Themistokles rather than just go for the knockout.
Ciprianni connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Themistokles uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ciprianni.
Themistokles throws a good cross that connects.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Themistokles throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ciprianni throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Themistokles jabs Ciprianni right on the nose. Ciprianni blinks but takes it well.
Ciprianni throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Themistokles throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Themistokles throws a poor cross that misses
and Ciprianni counters with a one-two to the body.
Themistokles misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ciprianni misses with a low kick as Themistokles jumps back.
Themistokles scores with a jab to the body.
Strategos Themistokles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Themistokles checks a low kick from Ciprianni.
Themistokles throws a hook to the side of Ciprianni's head but Ciprianni sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big right from Themistokles misses.
Themistokles throws a chopping leg kick but Ciprianni manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Themistokles misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ciprianni keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ciprianni keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ciprianni throws out a counter right but Themistokles avoids it with no problem.
Ciprianni takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Strategos Themistokles will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ciprianni tries to bum rush Themistokles with a series of wild strikes but Themistokles uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A chopping leg kick lands by Themistokles.
Ciprianni throws a low kick but it's checked well by Themistokles.

Themistokles has closed the distance and engaged Ciprianni in a clinch.
Themistokles prevents the takedown attempt.
Themistokles doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Themistokles's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right from Ciprianni on the inside.
Themistokles tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ciprianni fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ciprianni gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Themistokles.
Ciprianni lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ciprianni lands a shoulder strike.
Ciprianni cracks Themistokles with a nice body shot.
Nice body punch from Themistokles - that landed with a thud.
Themistokles lands with a right to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ciprianni gets underhooks to prevent Themistokles's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciprianni throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ciprianni tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Themistokles's elbow.
Themistokles misses with a hook from the clinch.
Themistokles lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ciprianni lands with a light punch inside.
Ciprianni scores with a shoulder strike.
Ciprianni misses with a punch to the body.
Ciprianni leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ciprianni is working for takedown but Themistokles is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ciprianni is trying to pull guard but Themistokles turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Strategos Themistokles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Ciprianni.

Ciprianni manages to break the clinch.
Themistokles checks a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Themistokles throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ciprianni loads up on a big right hand but Themistokles slips the punch.
Themistokles with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciprianni throws a head kick that misses.
Themistokles connects with a leg kick. Ciprianni looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ciprianni moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Themistokles throws a body punch but Ciprianni moves out of range.
Ciprianni thumps Themistokles with a low kick.
Themistokles bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ciprianni's head backwards.
Themistokles misses with a body shot.
Strategos Themistokles is winning the standup battle so far.
Ciprianni takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Themistokles misses with a wild body shot.
Ciprianni throws a low kick, looking for Themistokles's leg but Themistokles calmly moves out of range.
Themistokles scores with a nice body kick.
Ciprianni ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ciprianni looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Themistokles swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A head kick by Themistokles misses
and Ciprianni counters with a left to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Themistokles.
Ciprianni smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ciprianni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Themistokles.
Themistokles is looking to counter punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Themistokles.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ciprianni.
Themistokles throws a body kick that misses.
Themistokles has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ciprianni.
Themistokles throws a head kick but Ciprianni moves out of range.
Ciprianni flicks out a counter leg kick but Themistokles steps away.
Ciprianni misses with a body shot.
Themistokles throws a quick counter kick to the body but Ciprianni avoids it.
Ciprianni misses with a body kick.
Ciprianni slips under a jab.
Themistokles uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ciprianni.
Themistokles throws a shot from downtown. Ciprianni moves away and avoids it.
Ciprianni looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ciprianni's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ciprianni scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Themistokles fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ciprianni checks it well.
Ciprianni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ciprianni scores with a nice body kick.
Themistokles fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ciprianni shoots in and drives through. Themistokles sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Themistokles misses the body punch
and Ciprianni counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ciprianni misses with an uppercut.
Themistokles misses with a low kick as Ciprianni jumps back.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ciprianni.
Themistokles missing with a left hand there. Ciprianni was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Themistokles backing away here, and Ciprianni unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Themistokles swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ciprianni avoids the body shot from Themistokles.
Themistokles throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Themistokles lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Themistokles lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ciprianni lands a right hook to the body.
Themistokles misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ciprianni.
Ciprianni changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ciprianni scores with a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Themistokles throws a shot from downtown. Ciprianni moves away and avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Danny Ciprianni will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A big left from Themistokles misses.
Ciprianni throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Themistokles on the side of the head.
Ciprianni on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ciprianni lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ciprianni. Themistokles does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ciprianni dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Themistokles. That did some damage!
Themistokles slips a straight right by Ciprianni.
Ciprianni ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Themistokles moves away.
Ciprianni misses with a body shot.
Ciprianni uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Themistokles.
Themistokles lands with a nice body punch.
Ciprianni with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Themistokles throws a lazy right hand but Ciprianni sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ciprianni misses with a body shot.
Themistokles attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ciprianni looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ciprianni will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
It looked like Themistokles wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Themistokles turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Themistokles misses with a kick to the body.
Ciprianni doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ciprianni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Themistokles's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ciprianni under the eye.
Ciprianni lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ciprianni throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ciprianni moves out of range of the strikes.
A jab from Themistokles misses.
Ciprianni misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Themistokles tries to close the distance and clinch but Ciprianni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ciprianni takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ciprianni is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Themistokles with a body shot.
A jab from Themistokles misses.
Themistokles throws a body kick that misses.
Ciprianni tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Themistokles manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ciprianni moves out of range as Themistokles strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Themistokles throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ciprianni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ciprianni misses with a body shot.
Themistokles fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
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!
Themistokles tries to close the distance and clinch but Ciprianni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Themistokles drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ciprianni tried to score with a low kick but Themistokles checks it.
Ciprianni turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ciprianni steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Themistokles. That one must have hurt.
Themistokles sizes up Ciprianni with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ciprianni misses the body punch
and Themistokles counters with an outside leg kick.
Ciprianni misses with an uppercut. Themistokles saw that one coming.
Ciprianni connects with a solid leg kick.
Ciprianni loads up on a big right hand but Themistokles slips the punch.
Ciprianni uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Themistokles.
Ciprianni moves out of range of the body kick from Themistokles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Themistokles dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ciprianni. That did some damage!
Themistokles stuffs the takedown attempt from Ciprianni. Ciprianni gets slowly back to his feet.
Themistokles fails to land with a series of punches.
Ciprianni thows a body kick. Themistokles tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Themistokles showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ciprianni.
Ciprianni takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ciprianni lets loose with a powerful body kick. Themistokles will feel that in the morning.
Ciprianni is looking to slow Themistokles down with leg kicks.
Ciprianni takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ciprianni steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Themistokles.
Themistokles lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Themistokles takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Ciprianni manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Themistokles on his heels. He'll look to pass Themistokles's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ciprianni trying to control but Themistokles is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciprianni is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Ciprianni drops back, looking for a kneebar! Themistokles looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Themistokles looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Themistokles!

Themistokles decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Themistokles walks into a straight right hand from Ciprianni.
Themistokles looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Themistokles takes a swing at Ciprianni's ribcage but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Danny Ciprianni.
I think Ciprianni 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Danny Ciprianni!
During a confident post fight interview, Danny Ciprianni thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.