PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Atlas (ranked 2749 p4p, 267 weight class) and Szymon Kasprzyk (ranked 4203 p4p, 354 weight class). Daniel Atlas had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 147.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Atlas
vs
Kasprzyk

175 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
154 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniel Atlas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Szymon Kasprzyk!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Hugh Johnson and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atlas will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Atlas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kasprzyk! But no joy.
Kasprzyk changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Atlas tries to avoid it but Kasprzyk manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Atlas to the ground. Atlas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Atlas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kasprzyk wants to get back to his feet.
Kasprzyk manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Atlas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kasprzyk keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Atlas throwing shots but Kasprzyk is blocking nicely.
Kasprzyk blocking the ground and pound attempt from Atlas.
Atlas prevents Kasprzyk from standing back up.
Atlas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Atlas working Kasprzyk over with strikes.
Kasprzyk is trying to control but can't.
Atlas prevents Kasprzyk from improving his position.
Atlas misses with a head shot. Kasprzyk uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atlas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kasprzyk's head.
Kasprzyk striking off his back but it's not causing Atlas any problems.
Atlas throws a strike but Kasprzyk rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Atlas has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kasprzyk trying to stand up but can't free himself from Atlas's guard.
Kasprzyk sitting in guard here, content to control.
Atlas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kasprzyk is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Atlas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kasprzyk has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Atlas is working away from the top position though.
Atlas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kasprzyk is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Atlas scores with a couple of nice shots.
Atlas lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Atlas lands a nice short elbow.
Kasprzyk avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Atlas.
Atlas seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasprzyk is looking for a sweep. Atlas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Atlas looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kasprzyk with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kasprzyk is looking for a sweep. Atlas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atlas lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kasprzyk gets full guard.
Kasprzyk wants to stand and escape but Atlas is having none of it.
Atlas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Atlas postures up and lands a big shot to Kasprzyk's brow.
Kasprzyk wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Atlas is now in half guard.
Kasprzyk regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kasprzyk looks winded!
Atlas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Atlas scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atlas lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Atlas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Atlas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Atlas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Atlas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kasprzyk's head.
Kasprzyk striking from the bottom here.
Atlas landing with the ground and pound.
Kasprzyk tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kasprzyk with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Atlas can't handle though.
Kasprzyk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Atlas stands up over Kasprzyk, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
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!
Atlas stopping the sweep attempt from Kasprzyk.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kasprzyk stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kasprzyk wants it to stay on the feet.
Kasprzyk tries to close the distance and clinch up but Atlas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Atlas tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kasprzyk defends well and Atlas ends up having to push Kasprzyk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kasprzyk doesn't manage to clinch there - Atlas circles away.
Atlas swats away the attempt to clinch by Kasprzyk.
Atlas half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kasprzyk shoots in but Atlas avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Atlas shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Kasprzyk has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Atlas has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kasprzyk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Atlas smiles and moves away.
Kasprzyk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Daniel Atlas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kasprzyk fails with a takedown attempt.
Daniel Atlas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Szymon Kasprzyk.

Kasprzyk gets caught napping as Atlas dives in and scores a takedown. Kasprzyk manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Atlas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kasprzyk wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kasprzyk has momentary wrist control but Atlas slips an elbow through the middle.
Atlas lands a couple of digs.
Atlas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kasprzyk swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Atlas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Kasprzyk looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Atlas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Atlas scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kasprzyk avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Atlas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atlas chips away with some ground and pound.
Atlas throwing strikes but missing.
Atlas won't allow Kasprzyk to sweep him here.
Atlas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kasprzyk can do to turn this around?
Kasprzyk preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Atlas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Atlas throws a big right hand that misses.
Atlas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kasprzyk's head.
Atlas landing with the ground and pound.
Atlas preventing the sweep.
Atlas is in close to Kasprzyk's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Atlas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Atlas throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasprzyk controls Atlas momentarily but Atlas frees himself.
Atlas postures up and lands a big shot to Kasprzyk's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Atlas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kasprzyk preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Atlas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Kasprzyk is looking for a triangle but Atlas pushes his legs off easily.
Atlas is working Kasprzyk over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Daniel Atlas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kasprzyk is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Atlas landing some decent shots from guard.
Atlas makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kasprzyk is on top in guard.

Atlas on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Atlas tries to get out of the position.
Atlas 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Atlas is on top in guard.

Atlas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Atlas is looking to work some ground and pound but Kasprzyk has wrist control.
Kasprzyk utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Atlas throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Atlas dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Atlas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kasprzyk shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Atlas as he avoids it easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kasprzyk.
Atlas changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've been told by Atlas's head coaches at CASHLAY that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Kasprzyk clinches up against the cage.
Atlas wants to take the fight to the mat but Kasprzyk manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Atlas managing to block the knees to the body from Kasprzyk.

Kasprzyk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kasprzyk is defended easily by Atlas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atlas shoots in looking for a takedown. Kasprzyk tries to sprawl out of it but Atlas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kasprzyk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Atlas feints and as Kasprzyk raises his hands in defense, Atlas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kasprzyk has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Atlas is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atlas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kasprzyk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kasprzyk is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Atlas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kasprzyk breaks from the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kasprzyk.
Kasprzyk swinging wildly here.

Atlas looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kasprzyk!
Kasprzyk tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kasprzyk taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atlas working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Atlas misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kasprzyk is looking for a sweep.
An elbow from Atlas crashes against the mat.
Atlas throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Atlas scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kasprzyk on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Atlas working away.
Kasprzyk is working to avoid the ground and pound but Atlas connects with a decent elbow.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Atlas landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kasprzyk tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Atlas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Check out the look on Atlas's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Atlas connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kasprzyk some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atlas works to advance to full mount. Kasprzyk defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Atlas landing strikes from the mount and Kasprzyk is in trouble!
Kasprzyk looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.
Atlas working Kasprzyk over with strikes here.
Kasprzyk is desperately trying to improve his position but Atlas has a good base and remains in mount.
Kasprzyk keeps trying to improve his position.
Atlas putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Atlas with a couple of short strikes.
Kasprzyk wants to hold on but Atlas pushes him away.
Atlas is landing with some decent strikes but Kasprzyk is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kasprzyk tries to buck Atlas off but he can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kasprzyk is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Atlas scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kasprzyk tries to lock up and control but Atlas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kasprzyk is working to get back to half guard.
Atlas 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.
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!
Atlas lands a big shot there that rocks Kasprzyk but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Atlas is landing with some decent strikes but Kasprzyk is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Atlas postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kasprzyk looks a forlorn figure.
Kasprzyk tries to hold on but Atlas pushes him away.
Atlas postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kasprzyk looks a forlorn figure.
Atlas lands a big elbow.
Szymon Kasprzyk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Atlas breaks from Kasprzyk's wrist control and lands an elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Atlas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Atlas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Atlas!