PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fiato Ciesto (ranked 5164 p4p, 532 weight class) and Ryu Faioanaka (ranked 8365 p4p, 690 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ciesto
vs
Faioanaka

185 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
188 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fiato Ciesto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryu Faioanaka!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jorge Garcia and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ciesto shoots in but no luck this time.
Ciesto looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Ciesto shoots in and drives through. Faioanaka sprawls well.
Faioanaka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ciesto.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fiato Ciesto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ciesto checks a leg kick.
Ciesto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Faioanaka tries to avoid it but Ciesto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Faioanaka to the ground. Faioanaka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ciesto takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Faioanaka looks for a takedown but Ciesto sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Faioanaka with that takedown attempt.
Faioanaka looks for a takedown but Ciesto sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciesto blocks a head kick by Faioanaka.
Ciesto throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Faioanaka's waist but Faioanaka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ciesto off to one side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Faioanaka is defended easily by Ciesto.
A quick step to the side and Ciesto tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've been informed that Faioanaka has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Fiato Ciesto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ciesto connects with a single shot there.

Ciesto decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Faioanaka blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ciesto.
Ciesto wants to control but Faioanaka is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciesto 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.
Faioanaka tries to roll over but Ciesto keeps him under control.
Ciesto lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ciesto is looking to take a break and control but Faioanaka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ciesto is looking to advance position but Faioanaka won't allow it.

Ciesto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Faioanaka has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faioanaka is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ciesto scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ciesto trying to control the action but Faioanaka is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Faioanaka wants to get back to full guard.
Ciesto has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Ciesto controlling the action here.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ciesto is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ciesto tries to pass the half guard into mount. Faioanaka knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Faioanaka trying to hold on to Ciesto's head to control him but Ciesto postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ciesto darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ciesto perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ciesto fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Faioanaka sprawls well initially but Ciesto persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Ciesto is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Faioanaka doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ciesto.
Ciesto trying to control from half guard but Faioanaka is working away.
Faioanaka manages to get to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ciesto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciesto wants to control from the top but Faioanaka keeps moving.
Fiato Ciesto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Faioanaka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ciesto looking to pass the guard.
Faioanaka working a defensive guard here.
Ciesto tries to free his leg and advance position but Faioanaka is retaining full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Faioanaka keeping moving, preventing Ciesto from controlling successfully.

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

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.
Ciesto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Faioanaka.
Faioanaka fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Ciesto. No joy for Faioanaka on that attempt.
Ciesto lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Faioanaka dives in for a single leg takedown but Ciesto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Fiato Ciesto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryu Faioanaka.
Good standup being displayed there by Ciesto as he connects with a hook.

Faioanaka tries to sprawl but Ciesto drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Faioanaka pushes Ciesto off but Ciesto dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faioanaka struggling a bit here.

Ciesto is trying to get an arm triangle but Faioanaka is defending well.
Faioanaka wants to control but Ciesto postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ciesto has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Ciesto scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciesto raining down shots from the mount!
Faioanaka wants to control but Ciesto is having none of it.

Ciesto with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ciesto unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fiato Ciesto dominated that second round.
That's time! Ciesto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ciesto dives in and grabs Faioanaka's left leg, looking for a takedown. Faioanaka pushes down on Ciesto's head and hops out.
Ciesto shoots for a double leg takedown but Faioanaka sprawls well. He's pushed Ciesto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Faioanaka shoots in for a takedown but Ciesto shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fiato Ciesto is winning the standup battle so far.
Faioanaka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ciesto paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Faioanaka misses with a head kick.
Ciesto throws a big counter combination but Faioanaka scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Faioanaka gets a clinch.
Ciesto is trying to pull guard but Faioanaka has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fiato Ciesto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Faioanaka tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ciesto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Faioanaka jumps guard but Ciesto turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Ciesto gets control of Faioanaka's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ciesto will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faioanaka throws a big elbow that misses.

Faioanaka decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Ciesto looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Faioanaka!
Faioanaka is trying to get back to half guard.

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

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faioanaka wants to get back to his feet.
Faioanaka can't do much from the bottom here.
Ciesto advances to mount.
Ciesto moves to take his opponent's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ciesto has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Faioanaka has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Ciesto is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Ciesto connects with a big shot to the side of Faioanaka's head.
Ciesto has good solid back control here.
Faioanaka is trying to remain composed but Ciesto is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciesto trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Ciesto is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Faioanaka has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Ciesto has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Faioanaka taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Ciesto doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Fiato Ciesto!