PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Tessier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malcom Syndal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malcom Syndal has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tessier
vs
Syndal

186 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Tessier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Malcom Syndal!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Stewart Dunkirk and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tessier slips under a jab from Syndal.
Syndal throws a body punch but Tessier moves out of range.
Syndal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tessier really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tessier throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Syndal takes a kick to the side of the head.
Syndal thows a left - swing and a miss!
Syndal misses with a looping right.
We've been hearing reports that Tessier has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Syndal falls off balance throwing a combination

and Tessier counters with a nice double leg into side control. Syndal won't be happy with that.
Syndal is trying to escape the position but Tessier is controlling the position.

Tessier is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Syndal has escaped the position, nice work there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Syndal tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tessier wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tessier wants to control but Syndal is keeping him busy.
Sloppy strikes there by Tessier.
Syndal tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Tessier easily slips into full mount!

Tessier is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Syndal has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Tessier has hold of Syndal's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Syndal manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Syndal tries to reverse the position but Tessier maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Syndal tries to hold on but Tessier postures up.
Tessier sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Tessier punching from mount but Syndal doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Syndal really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tessier. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tessier tries to control but Syndal wriggling away.
Tessier 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.

Tessier is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Syndal to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Syndal shrugs it off.
Tessier controlling from the full mount.
Tessier prevents Syndal from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tessier will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tessier throws some wild stikes that Syndal manages to avoid easily.
Syndal keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Syndal tries to hold on but Tessier postures up.
Tessier trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Poor strikes thrown by Tessier there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Tessier looking to secure an arm triangle but Syndal defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tessier working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Syndal can do anything to dispel that myth.

Tessier has control of Syndal's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Syndal regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Tessier throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tessier throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Tessier unloads with some shots from mount but Syndal bucks and avoids them well.

Tessier is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Syndal is surviving well by controlling Tessier's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Syndal just misses with a punch to the body.
Tessier looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Tessier moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tessier.
Syndal scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Syndal lands with a good body shot.
Tessier fakes the leg kick and cracks Syndal in the body.
Syndal takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nick Tessier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tessier has a takedown stuffed.
We've been informed that Syndal has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tessier tries a head kick but it misses.
Tessier throws a chopping leg kick but Syndal manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tessier fakes the leg kick and cracks Syndal in the body.
Tessier lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Syndal chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tessier can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Syndal lands a left and a right that send Tessier crashing to the mat, dazed. Syndal thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Tessier is rocked!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Syndal rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tessier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Oh Tessier is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tessier goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Syndal misses with a body punch
and Tessier counters with a thumping low kick.
Syndal throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tessier counters with a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tessier is looking to score with low kicks.
Syndal is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tessier seems to have got his legs back now.
Tessier moves away from the strike by Syndal.
Tessier appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Syndal fails to land with a series of punches.
Syndal scores with a three punch combo!
Syndal looks to score with a jab to the body but Tessier is just out of range.
Tessier thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Syndal if he has to take too many more of those.
Tessier slips a jab and a cross from Syndal.
Syndal throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tessier counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tessier throws a head kick but Syndal moves out of range.
Syndal now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Syndal throws a nice looking combination but Tessier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Syndal checks a leg kick.
That kick from Tessier tenderised Syndal's leg. Syndal is trying to keep his angry face on.
Syndal throws a body punch but Tessier moves out of range.
Tessier throws a front kick that sends Syndal stumbling back into the cage.
Syndal connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tessier momentarily.
Syndal lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tessier circles away quickly and effectively.
Tessier throws a counter high kick but Syndal was just alert enough to avoid it.
Tessier goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Syndal fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Syndal misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Syndal.
Syndal is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tessier rather than just go for the knockout.
Syndal misses the shot to the body.
Nick Tessier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick from Tessier lands but Syndal takes it in his stride.
A jab from Syndal finds it's way through Tessier's defenses.
Tessier wants to clinch up but Syndal keeps it at a distance.
Syndal throws a body shot but no joy.
Syndal looks to score with a jab to the body but Tessier is just out of range.
Tessier ducks under a wild hook from Syndal.
Tessier closes this distance looking for a takedown but Syndal circles away.
Malcom Syndal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Syndal misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tessier throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tessier throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Syndal misses with a two punch combination.
Tessier lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Syndal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Syndal swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And Tessier counters with a quick kick to the body but Syndal blocks it.
Syndal will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Syndal misses with a series of wild punches.
Tessier lands a nice looking kick to the body. Syndal takes a step back to recover.
Syndal misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcom Syndal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tessier throws a predictable looking body shot
and Syndal counters with a series of strikes. Tessier will be more careful next time no doubt.
Tessier changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Syndal tries to avoid it but Tessier manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Syndal to the ground. Syndal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Syndal thuds a left hand into Tessier's body.
Tessier fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Syndal has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Syndal closes the distance and pushes Tessier back into the cage.
Syndal lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Tessier's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tessier has had enough of the clinch but Syndal keeps him there for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Syndal leaning against his opponent.
Tessier can't break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Syndal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tessier tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tessier looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Syndal keeps control of Tessier as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Syndal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tessier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tessier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Syndal was well out of range. Poor timing from Tessier.
Syndal misses with a combination
and Tessier counters with a three punch combo that has Syndal backing up. Syndal nods at Tessier to acknowledge the strikes.
Tessier misses with a head kick.
Nice cross by Syndal.
Syndal cracks a nice hook into Tessier's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tessier lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Syndal will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Syndal swings for the body but Tessier moves out of range.
Syndal blocks a head kick by Tessier.
Syndal is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Syndal throws a right hand that Tessier ducks under and follows up with a left that Tessier also avoids with ease.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Syndal just misses with a punch to the body.
Syndal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tessier counters with a right hand to the body.
Syndal will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Syndal misses with a body shot.
Syndal just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tessier throws a head kick that half lands.
Syndal throws a body punch but Tessier moves out of range.
No joy there for Syndal, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Syndal throws a body punch but Tessier moves out of range.
Tessier feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Syndal takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Syndal misses with the combination.
Tessier appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Syndal dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Syndal misses with a wild body shot.
Tessier thuds his shin into the meat of Syndal's side.
Malcom Syndal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tessier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Syndal.
Tessier appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Syndal connects with a body shot that sends Tessier's belly button to the back.
Tessier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Syndal.
Syndal rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tessier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tessier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tessier pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Tessier.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tessier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Syndal ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tessier on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Syndal has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Tessier.
Syndal checks the leg kick nicely there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malcom Syndal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Syndal 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malcom Syndal!