PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Victor Szczęsny (ranked 2064 p4p, 240 weight class) and Justin Cider (ranked 2008 p4p, 232 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Szczęsny
vs
Cider

225 cm
43
135 lbs
47 - 28 - 2

172 cm
38
160 lbs
19 - 9 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Trashy Bar (158+q / 30$)
Sportivité

Trashy Bar (158+q / 30$)

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 47 - 28 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Victor Szczęsny!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Cider !
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Franklyn Lucas and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cider throws a jab when Szczęsny was well out of range.
A jab from Cider misses.
Szczęsny tries to counter by clinching up but Cider breaks away and moves out of range.
Cider throws a hook but Szczęsny avoids it easily.
Cider wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Cider connects with a leg kick. Szczęsny looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Szczęsny lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Szczęsny misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cider tried to score with a low kick but Szczęsny checks it.
A jab from Szczęsny does it's job there.
Cider drops his hands momentarily and Szczęsny takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Szczęsny misses the jab.
Szczęsny blocks a leg kick.
Szczęsny walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Cider lands with a nice body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cider misses with a low kick as Szczęsny jumps back.
Szczęsny really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Szczęsny moves away from the strike by Cider .
Cider missing with a left hand there. Szczęsny was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Szczęsny stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A low kick from Cider misses
and Szczęsny counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cider looks to throw the jab but Szczęsny is out of range.
Justin Cider seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Szczęsny keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cider .
A solid leg kick lands there for Szczęsny.
Cider swings for the body but Szczęsny moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Szczęsny checks a leg kick.
Szczęsny bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Szczęsny is looking to counter punch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cider . That's going to slow Szczęsny down.
Cider is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Cider tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Szczęsny is able to avoid easily.
Szczęsny walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cider checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
An inside leg kick from Szczęsny misses.
Szczęsny tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Cider is able to avoid easily.
Cider throws a leg kick but Szczęsny checks it.
Szczęsny fires out a quick counter leg kick but Cider just manages to avoid it.
Cider throws the kick towards the body but Szczęsny avoids it.
Szczęsny slips a straight right by Cider .
Szczęsny quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Szczęsny blocks a leg kick.
Cider throws a sloppy head kick and Szczęsny moves out of range easily.
Cider scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny wants to clinch up but Cider keeps it at a distance.
Cider throws a poor cross that misses
and Szczęsny counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Szczęsny lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cider at a distance.
Szczęsny scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A low kick from Cider is predictable there
and Szczęsny counters with a nice leg kick.
Cider misses with a kick to the body.
Szczęsny is looking to counter punch.
Cider gets off balance looking for a body kick
enabling Szczęsny to counter with a crisp jab.
Cider ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Szczęsny moves away.
Szczęsny tries a head kick but it misses.
Cider misses with a hook
and Szczęsny counters with a good low kick that Cider was not able to check.
Justin Cider is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Szczęsny jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cider throws a poor cross that misses
and Szczęsny counters with a low kick, right behind Cider 's knee.
Cider bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Szczęsny's head.
Szczęsny is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cider misses with a low kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Szczęsny or perhaps it was just good defense by Cider , which made it look bad.
Szczęsny moves out of range as Cider throws a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny misses with a kick to the body.
Szczęsny walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Cider 's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Cider duly obliges.
Cider throws a sloppy head kick and Szczęsny moves out of range easily.
A little feinted left hand from Szczęsny on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Szczęsny lands a slapping body shot.
Szczęsny digs a good hook to Cider 's body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Szczęsny.
Cider misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Szczęsny misses with a looping left.
Cider scores with a body shot.
Good exchange - Cider coming out on top.
Cider circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cider shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Cider lands with an overhand left.
Szczęsny uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cider .
Cider 's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Cider duly obliges.
Cider throws a jab but it's blocked by Szczęsny.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny delivers a nice body kick.
Szczęsny throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Szczęsny uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cider .
A solid leg kick lands there for Cider .
Szczęsny fails with the takedown.
Szczęsny misses with a body shot.
Szczęsny moves away from the strike by Cider .
Cider misses with a low kick.
Szczęsny will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Szczęsny throws a low kick but Cider avoids it.
Cider throws a hook but Szczęsny blocks it.
Szczęsny checks a low kick from Cider .
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A combination from Cider does no damage.
Cider ducks under a wild hook from Szczęsny.
Cider fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Szczęsny has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cider loads up on a big right hand but Szczęsny slips the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Szczęsny avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cider looks to score with a jab to the body but Szczęsny is just out of range.
Cider throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Cider tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Szczęsny was well out of range. Poor timing from Cider .
Nice shot lands for Cider .
Justin Cider seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cider lands a slapping body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cider lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Szczęsny has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Szczęsny and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Cider throws a big shot that misses.
Cider lands with a cross.
Szczęsny keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Szczęsny keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cider .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cider misses with a right hand
enabling Szczęsny to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice takedown defense from Cider . No joy for Szczęsny on that attempt.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cider .
Szczęsny lands a head shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Szczęsny slips a straight right by Cider .
Cider swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A quick step to the side and Szczęsny tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Szczęsny might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cider tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Szczęsny was well out of range. Poor timing from Cider .
Szczęsny feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Cider swings widly with a right hand
and Szczęsny counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Szczęsny bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Szczęsny looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
A head kick misses from Cider .
Cider lands with a hook. Szczęsny tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A big right from Cider misses.
Szczęsny swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cider thows a leg kick but Szczęsny checks it
and Szczęsny counters with a thumping low kick.
Cider takes a swing at Szczęsny's ribcage but misses.
Szczęsny fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Szczęsny swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cider keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cider bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Szczęsny ducks under a wild hook from Cider .
Szczęsny throws a sloppy head kick and Cider moves out of range easily.
An inside leg kick from Cider misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cider .
Jab from Cider .
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cider thows a leg kick but Szczęsny checks it
and Szczęsny counters with a nice body kick.
Cider throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Szczęsny was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Cider .
Szczęsny checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Szczęsny checks the leg kick nicely there.
Cider throws a front kick aimed at Szczęsny's knee but Szczęsny avoids it well.
Szczęsny tried to counter with a leg kick but Cider avoided it.
Szczęsny looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Szczęsny. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cider misses with a low kick.
Szczęsny swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cider does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Szczęsny tried to counter with a leg kick but Cider avoided it.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Szczęsny. Cider shrugs it off though.
A head kick misses from Cider .
Cider misses with a looping left.
It looked like Szczęsny wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cider connects with a body shot.
Cider turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Szczęsny misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cider .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cider is looking to land body kicks.
Cider lands with a cross.
Cider lands with a nice body punch.
Cider misses the shot to the body.
Szczęsny dives in for a single leg takedown but Cider sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Cider takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Cider takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Szczęsny catches Cider with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cider throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cider throws out a loose jab but Szczęsny uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cider displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Szczęsny throws out the jab.
Szczęsny ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cider on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Szczęsny. Szczęsny obviously looking to wear him down.
Szczęsny throws the left hand but Cider avoids the punch easily.
A punch lands to the side of Cider 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cider finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Szczęsny misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Cider throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cider throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Cider motions for Szczęsny to come forward. Cider throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cider misses with a low kick.
Cider connects with a good right hand that stumbles Szczęsny. Szczęsny circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cider pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Szczęsny lands a body shot.
Szczęsny tries to clinch up but Cider circles away and keeps his distance.
Cider misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Szczęsny counters with a one-two to the body.
Cider misses with a right hand
and Szczęsny counters with a low kick, right behind Cider 's knee.

Szczęsny rushes Cider and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cider .
Szczęsny effectively controlling the action here.
Cider throws a punch but it's blocked by Szczęsny.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Cider 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! This is the final round!

Szczęsny pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cider throws a hook but Szczęsny blocks it.
Cider misses with an uppercut.
It looked like Szczęsny was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cider throws out a loose jab but Szczęsny uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cider moves out of range of the leg kick from Szczęsny.
Cider takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Cider connects with a solid leg kick.
Cider takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Szczęsny keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Szczęsny throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Szczęsny throws a leg kick
letting Cider counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cider throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cider misses with a body punch
and Szczęsny counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Cider throws a lazy uppercut
and Szczęsny counters with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cider .
Cider slips a jab and a cross from Szczęsny.
Szczęsny looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cider misses with a few strikes there.
Szczęsny tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Szczęsny tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cider swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cider misses with a right hand
and Szczęsny makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cider loads up on a big right hand but Szczęsny slips the punch.
Szczęsny keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Szczęsny tried to counter with a leg kick but Cider avoided it.
Cider waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Szczęsny.
Cider throws a hook but Szczęsny blocks it.
Szczęsny moves out of range of the strikes.
Szczęsny tries a head kick but it misses.
Szczęsny connects with the punch.
Cider throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cider uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Szczęsny.
Szczęsny fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cider manages to avoid it.
Cider turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cider throws a shot from downtown. Szczęsny moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczęsny throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Szczęsny swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Szczęsny stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cider .
Szczęsny tries to score with a low kick but Cider moves his leg out of the way.
A slow jab from Cider misses its intended target.
A quick step to the side and Szczęsny tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cider .
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Szczęsny connects with a leg kick. Cider looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cider misses the shot to the body.
A head kick from Szczęsny lands but Cider takes it in his stride.
Cider misses with a hook.
Szczęsny looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Szczęsny clinches.

Cider breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cider jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Victor Szczęsny has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cider waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Szczęsny.
Cider looks to throw the jab but Szczęsny is out of range.
Cider misses with a looping right.
Szczęsny throwing a counter right hand but Cider manages to avoid it.
Cider is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Szczęsny.
Szczęsny connects with a solid leg kick.
Cider throws a shot from downtown. Szczęsny moves away and avoids it.
Szczęsny is looking to counter with head kicks.
Cider misses with a looping right.
Szczęsny was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Szczęsny uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cider .
Szczęsny misses with a wild body shot.
Szczęsny throws a nice outside leg kick.
Szczęsny shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cider defends it nicely.
Szczęsny avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jab, jab by Szczęsny - just one landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Szczęsny 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Szczęsny keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cider .
Szczęsny throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cider misses with a looping right.
Szczęsny takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Szczęsny keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cider .
Cider throws a big shot that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Szczęsny with a nice cross.
Cider scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Szczęsny's corner calls for a 1-2. Szczęsny obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cider scoring well with a low kick there.
Szczęsny swings widly with a right hand
and Cider counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cider is looking to slow Szczęsny down with leg kicks.
Cider 's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Szczęsny just misses with a punch to the body.
Cider is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Szczęsny with a body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Cider .
Szczęsny throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Justin Cider .
I've got Cider winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Cider !
Justin Cider decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.