PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bill Newton (ranked 866 p4p, 121 weight class) and Aleksandr Sinytsyn (ranked 1276 p4p, 167 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Newton
vs
Sinytsyn

184 cm
29
197 lbs
18 - 13 - 2

187 cm
32
195 lbs
13 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Bill Newton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksandr Sinytsyn!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Newton throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sinytsyn was covering up waiting for the punch and Newton finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sinytsyn keeping full guard, as Newton tries to pass.
Newton is working hard here to advance position.
Newton won't allow Sinytsyn to get back to his feet.
Newton looking to pass the guard.
Sinytsyn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sinytsyn will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Newton stopping the sweep attempt from Sinytsyn.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sinytsyn wants to stand and escape but Newton is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Newton drops back looking for a leg! Sinytsyn is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sinytsyn manages to kick Newton off! Newton jumps back into Sinytsyn's guard.
Newton advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sinytsyn is just riding it out for now. Newton eventually gives up the hold.

Newton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Newton stops Sinytsyn from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sinytsyn is trying to get back to full guard.

Newton is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sinytsyn doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Newton.
Sinytsyn told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

Sinytsyn is defending against the submission attempts here by Newton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Newton is working for a submission of some sort.

Newton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sinytsyn is just riding it out for now. Newton eventually gives up the hold.
Sinytsyn tries to kick Newton off but Newton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Sinytsyn pushes Newton off and gets back to his feet.
Sinytsyn misses with a wild body shot.
Aleksandr Sinytsyn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Aleksandr Sinytsyn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newton moves out of range as Sinytsyn throws a body kick.
Newton connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sinytsyn. Sinytsyn circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sinytsyn throws a series of punches but Newton avoids them all with ease.
Sinytsyn throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Newton sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sinytsyn tries to land a front kick but Newton steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Newton tries to counter with a takedown but Sinytsyn is quick to defend against it.
Newton moves out of range as Sinytsyn strikes.
Newton lands a nice looking body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Newton. Sinytsyn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sinytsyn throws a shot from downtown. Newton moves away and avoids it.

Sinytsyn clinches up with Newton and pushes him back against the cage.
Newton lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sinytsyn backwards.
Sinytsyn blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sinytsyn.
Newton lands a body punch in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sinytsyn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Newton tries to work over Sinytsyn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Newton tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Newton struggles to land a body shot inside as Sinytsyn controls his hands.
Newton tries a body shot but Sinytsyn blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sinytsyn.
Newton scores with a hook to the body.
Newton misses with a body punch.
Newton is trying to drag Sinytsyn to the mat but Sinytsyn just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sinytsyn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Newton is defending well for now.
Sinytsyn misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sinytsyn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Sinytsyn tries to land a knee to the head but Newton blocks with his arms.
Newton lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sinytsyn or not.
Newton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sinytsyn tries to land knees in the clinch but Newton avoids the damage to the body.

Newton pulls guard effortlessly.
Sinytsyn has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Newton is proving hard to escape from.
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 Bill Newton will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sinytsyn misses with a hook.
Newton lands a slapping body shot.
Sinytsyn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Newton throws a shot to the body.
Newton avoids the body shot from Sinytsyn.
Sinytsyn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Newton manages to avoid it.

Sinytsyn pushes Newton up against the cage in a clinch.
Sinytsyn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Newton is working for takedown but Sinytsyn is calmly controlling the position for now.
Newton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sinytsyn misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Newton.
A body shot lands from Sinytsyn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newton jumps guard but Sinytsyn stands there with Newton around his waist. Newton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Newton takes an elbow to the forehead.
Aleksandr Sinytsyn seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch on the inside from Newton fails to land.
Newton lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Newton struggles to land a body shot inside as Sinytsyn controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sinytsyn looking to throw knees to the head but Newton is blocking nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Newton.
Newton can't find room to land a body shot as Sinytsyn controls the action.
Newton tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sinytsyn landing knees to the head.
I was talking to Newton's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Sinytsyn scores with a shoulder strike.
Newton lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sinytsyn backwards.
Newton lands a right hand.
Newton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sinytsyn prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Newton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Newton struggles to land a body shot inside as Sinytsyn controls his hands.
Come on Sinytsyn - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Newton can't find room to land a body shot as Sinytsyn controls the action.
Newton has a couple of punches blocked by Sinytsyn.
A short right from Newton on the inside.
Newton can't find room to land a body shot as Sinytsyn controls the action.
Newton takes a shot to the head.
Sinytsyn misses with an elbow over the top.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Newton as Sinytsyn tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newton takes an elbow to the forehead.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sinytsyn working aggressively here.
A shot in the inside from Newton.
A shot in the inside from Sinytsyn.
Newton's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sinytsyn creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Newton's defenses.
Sinytsyn presses Newton against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Newton digs a right hand underneath Sinytsyn's ribcage. Sinytsyn let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Newton swings wildly with an uppercut but Sinytsyn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sinytsyn looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sinytsyn tries a body shot but Newton blocks it.
Newton is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sinytsyn to keep the fight standing.
A right hand to the body from Sinytsyn.
Newton wants to take the fight to the mat but Sinytsyn manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Newton misses with the head strike.
Newton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stalling in the clinch from Sinytsyn.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sinytsyn lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sinytsyn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Newton is defending well for now.
Sinytsyn putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Newton in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Newton swings wildly with an uppercut but Sinytsyn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sinytsyn throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sinytsyn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sinytsyn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Newton is defending well for now.
Newton is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sinytsyn gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sinytsyn throws an elbow that misses.
Newton lands a left hand.
Newton goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sinytsyn prevents it.
A short right from Newton on the inside.

Sinytsyn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sinytsyn tries a head kick but it misses.
Sinytsyn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Newton.
Sinytsyn appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nice jab there from Sinytsyn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sinytsyn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Newton.
Sinytsyn throws a jab when Newton was well out of range.
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!
Sinytsyn misses the shot to the body.
Sinytsyn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Newton connects with a right hand. Sinytsyn shakes it off.
Newton throws a body punch but Sinytsyn moves out of range.
Newton fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sinytsyn looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sinytsyn moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Newton misses the target.
Sinytsyn feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Newtons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sinytsyn swings for the body but Newton moves out of range.
Aleksandr Sinytsyn seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sinytsyn lands the left hand.
Sinytsyn moves out of range of the strikes.
Newton takes a swing at Sinytsyn's ribcage but misses.
Sinytsyn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Newton.
Sinytsyn thinks about the counter body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Sinytsyn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Newton's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Newton looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sinytsyn!
Sinytsyn is looking to regain half guard here but Newton keeps moving and retains side control.

Newton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sinytsyn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Newton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sinytsyn, who protects the arm well.
Sinytsyn struggling a bit here.
Sinytsyn is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sinytsyn is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Newton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sinytsyn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sinytsyn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newton working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sinytsyn is looking to regain half guard here but Newton keeps moving and retains side control.

Newton is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sinytsyn has escaped the position, nice work there.
Newton tries to advance to mount but can't.

Newton tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Newton has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sinytsyn wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

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.

Newton is trying to get an arm triangle but Sinytsyn is defending well.
Sinytsyn is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Newton off and has taken his back!

Sinytsyn stands up.
A lazy left from Sinytsyn finds it's target.
Sinytsyn lands an overhand right.
Newton ducks under a wild hook from Sinytsyn.
Sinytsyn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sinytsyn misses with a double jab

and Newton decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sinytsyn's guard.
Newton passes Sinytsyn's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Newton prevents Sinytsyn from standing back up.
Newton tries to pass to full mount but Sinytsyn defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Newton is working for a kimura but Sinytsyn is defending it quite comfortably.

Newton seems to be looking for submissions.
Newton prevents Sinytsyn from standing back up.

Newton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Sinytsyn is looking to escape.

Newton is working for a kimura but Sinytsyn is defending it quite comfortably.

Sinytsyn is defending against the submission attempts here by Newton.

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.
Sinytsyn wants to get back to his feet.

Newton is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sinytsyn wants to get back to full guard.

Sinytsyn kicks Newton off and gets back to his feet.
Newton shoots in for a double leg but Sinytsyn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Newton ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Newton takes a jab right on the kisser.

Sinytsyn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Newton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Newton tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Newton is trying to pull guard but Sinytsyn turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Aleksandr Sinytsyn just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A big right from Sinytsyn misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short left from Newton.
Newton misses with a punch to the body.
Newton presses Sinytsyn against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Newton working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Newton misses with the head strike.
Newton misses with a body punch.
Sinytsyn lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Newton misses with the head strike.
Newton tries to work over Sinytsyn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sinytsyn smiles and moves away.
Sinytsyn chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sinytsyn lands with a kick to the temple. Newton shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sinytsyn throws a head kick that Newton semi-blocks.
The fighters circling - Sinytsyn throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sinytsyn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sinytsyn throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Newton sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Newton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sinytsyn.
Newton tries to counter with a takedown but Sinytsyn is quick to defend against it.

Sinytsyn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Newton misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Newton.
Newton swings wildly with an uppercut but Sinytsyn uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sinytsyn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Newton lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sinytsyn blocks a body shot from Newton.
Nice body punch from Newton.
Newton's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sinytsyn lands an elbow inside.
Sinytsyn blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sinytsyn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Sinytsyn.
Newton has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sinytsyn after a bit of a struggle.
Sinytsyn blocking some punches.
Newton misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Newton.
Newton lands a right hand.
Newton is trying to drag Sinytsyn to the mat but Sinytsyn just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Newton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Sinytsyn lands an elbow just above Newton 's eye.
Newton working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Newton misses with a hook to the ribs.

Sinytsyn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Newton with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sinytsyn to score with a decent uppercut.
Sinytsyn misses with a hook. Newton ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sinytsyn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Newton shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sinytsyn connects with a right hand. Newton shakes it off.
Sinytsyn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Newton.
Sinytsyn missing with a left hand there. Newton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Newton changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sinytsyn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Newton on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A punch lands to the side of Newton 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sinytsyn just misses with a punch to the body.

Sinytsyn pushes Newton up against the cage in a clinch.
Sinytsyn takes a shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sinytsyn.
Newton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sinytsyn is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Newton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sinytsyn is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newton digs a right hand into Sinytsyn's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sinytsyn's gas tank.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sinytsyn misses with some punches.
Sinytsyn scores with a nice hook to the head.

Sinytsyn breaks from the clinch.

Newton clinches with his opponent.
Sinytsyn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Newton's elbow.
Newton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sinytsyn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sinytsyn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sinytsyn working Newton over with knees to the body.
Sinytsyn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Sinytsyn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sinytsyn lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Newton at a distance.
Sinytsyn throws a head kick but Newton moves out of range.
Newton blocks the body kick.
Newton staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Sinytsyn dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sinytsyn throws a lazy right hand but Newton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sinytsyn uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Newton throws a hook but Sinytsyn blocks it.
Sinytsyn throws a right hand that misses

and Newton counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sinytsyn won't be happy with that.
Sinytsyn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sinytsyn is trying to get back to his feet.
Bill Newton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Newton is trying to get an arm triangle but Sinytsyn is defending well.

Newton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sinytsyn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sinytsyn is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Newton is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sinytsyn is looking for a sweep.

Newton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sinytsyn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Newton is trying to get an arm triangle but Sinytsyn is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newton working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Newton thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sinytsyn wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sinytsyn prevents Newton from moving into mount.
Sinytsyn is pushing Newton's head away, looking to escape. Newton manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two 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.

Newton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sinytsyn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sinytsyn is looking for a sweep.

Newton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sinytsyn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Newton moves into full mount!

Newton moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Sinytsyn has worked his arm free - good work by Sinytsyn!

Newton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sinytsyn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sinytsyn can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Newton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sinytsyn, who protects the arm well.

Newton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sinytsyn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sinytsyn is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Newton has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Newton goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Sinytsyn rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Newton's guard! Nice work there by Sinytsyn!
Sinytsyn has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Newton is proving hard to escape from.
Aleksandr Sinytsyn is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sinytsyn wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Newton's closed guard. He's half up but Newton has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Newton pivots and extends the arm, Sinytsyn falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Newton! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bill Newton!
Bill Newton is the new middleweight champion!