PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ramon Cassel (ranked 4374 p4p, 421 weight class) and Julio Cesar Sitsongrit (ranked 4140 p4p, 404 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.

Cassel
vs
Cesar Sitsongrit

170 cm
21
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

174 cm
19
164 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ramon Cassel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Cesar Sitsongrit!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cassel moves away from the strike by Sitsongrit.
Cassel tries to counter with a takedown but Sitsongrit is quick to defend against it.
Sitsongrit throws a lazy right hand but Cassel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sitsongrit defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cassel.
Sitsongrit misses with a left hand

and Cassel counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sitsongrit is adopting a defensive guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassel postures up in Sitsongrit's guard and throws a big left but Sitsongrit blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit pulls Cassel in close to prevent any damage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Sitsongrit 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cassel moves out of range of the strikes.

Sitsongrit gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cassel tries for a takedown but Sitsongrit manages to get underhooks.
Sitsongrit just leaning against Cassel, taking a breather.

Sitsongrit wants the takedown. Cassel is fighting it off but Sitsongrit persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Cassel's guard against the cage.
Sitsongrit must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sitsongrit passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit controls the position.
Cassel is trying to improve his position.
Sitsongrit controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Sitsongrit might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

Sitsongrit goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Cassel has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sitsongrit but great work by Cassel.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sitsongrit is trying to improve his position.
We've been hearing that Cassel has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Cassel tries to score with some ground and pound. Sitsongrit controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Sitsongrit can't do much from the bottom here.
Sitsongrit tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cassel wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Cassel tries for a kimura but Sitsongrit is defending well.
Sitsongrit gets back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sitsongrit gets full guard.
Sitsongrit is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Julio Cesar Sitsongrit will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sitsongrit gets a takedown into half guard.
Sitsongrit moves nicely into side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cassel is trying to get back to half guard.
Sitsongrit wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cassel keeps working.
Sitsongrit in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Julio Cesar Sitsongrit has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cassel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sitsongrit taking a breather here.
Sitsongrit is looking to take a break and control but Cassel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cassel tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit just content to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Cassel prevents Sitsongrit from improving position.
Cassel tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sitsongrit wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sitsongrit taking a breather here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sitsongrit is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cassel.
Cassel feinted with a counter takedown.

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.

Sitsongrit decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sitsongrit takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sitsongrit wants to pass the guard but Cassel is defending well.

Cassel actively working from the bottom here.
Sitsongrit has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Cassel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sitsongrit moves into full mount! Cassel won't be happy about that!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cassel is trying to escape the mount but Sitsongrit keeps good control and instead manages to take Cassel's back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Cesar Sitsongrit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sitsongrit is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Cassel's half guard.
Sitsongrit controlling the pace.
Cassel wants to get back to full guard.
Sitsongrit seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Let's hope that Sitsongrit has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Decent striking displayed by Sitsongrit there.
Sitsongrit throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cassel appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Sitsongrit changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cassel looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Sitsongrit is looking to take a break and control but Cassel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sitsongrit controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramon Cassel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sitsongrit tries to advance to mount but can't.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
More stalling from Sitsongrit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sitsongrit is continuing to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cassel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sitsongrit drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Cassel defends it well.
Sitsongrit throws a jab when Cassel was well out of range.
Cassel feinted with a counter takedown.

Sitsongrit has closed the distance and engaged Cassel in a clinch.
Sitsongrit looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Sitsongrit manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sitsongrit pulls Cassel in close to prevent any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sitsongrit looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cassel is one step ahead there.
Sitsongrit bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cassel's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julio Cesar Sitsongrit comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sitsongrit 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 25:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julio Cesar Sitsongrit!