PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Sycek (ranked 660 p4p, 258 weight class) and Raja Khanna (ranked 91 p4p, 39 weight class). Raja Khanna will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Sycek
vs
Khanna

178 cm
24
193
10 - 5 - 0

190 cm
25
185
12 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
Bondi MMA 🏝️

NARCOS
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Samuel Sycek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Raja Khanna!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Alyssa Summers and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sycek scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Khanna has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sycek is working away from the top position though.
Khanna is pressing down on Sycek's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sycek postures up.
Khanna managing to control the position.
Khanna is trying to keep Sycek in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khanna is pulling down on Sycek's head to control his posture.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sycek's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khanna avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Khanna working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sycek.
Sycek postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sycek with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sycek working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Khanna's head.
Sycek is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khanna is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Khanna utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Khanna controls Sycek momentarily but Sycek frees himself.

Khanna escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sycek gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Our spies down at at Hammer House of Horror inform us that Khanna has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Sycek throws a big right hand that misses.
Sycek is in close to Khanna's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Khanna is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've been hearing that Sycek has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Sycek scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Khanna trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sycek with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sycek with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Khanna is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Khanna throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Sycek postures up.
Sycek has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sycek lands a couple of digs.
Sycek cracks Khanna with a solid left hand.
Sycek missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Khanna is trying to keep Sycek in close.
Sycek working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sycek distracts Khanna with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sycek is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sycek postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khanna not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanna has momentary wrist control but Sycek slips an elbow through the middle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khanna is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sycek postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Khanna preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sycek working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Khanna is trying to control the position but Sycek postures up.
Sycek postures up in Khanna's guard and throws a big left but Khanna blocks it.
Sycek postures up in Khanna's guard and throws a big left but Khanna blocks it.
Khanna looking to control.
Sycek trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sycek distracts Khanna with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sycek chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khanna seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Khanna working a defensive guard here.
Sycek is working Khanna over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Khanna working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sycek.
Khanna is trying to control the position but Sycek postures up.
Sycek is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sycek's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sycek lands a couple of elbows.
Khanna looking to control.
Sycek is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sycek is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sycek distracts Khanna with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Khanna has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sycek can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sycek tries to score a power double leg takedown but Khanna sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sycek somewhat.
Khanna misses with a body kick.
Khanna stuffs the takedown attempt from Sycek. Sycek gets slowly back to his feet.
Khanna looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sycek slips a straight right by Khanna.
Sycek tries to counter with a takedown but Khanna is quick to defend against it.
Khanna is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sycek.
Nice shot by Khanna.
Sycek goes for a double leg but Khanna avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Khanna continues to drive forward.
Khanna swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Sycek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sycek.
Sycek tries a body shot but Khanna blocks it.
Khanna misses with the head strike.
Khanna working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sycek tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Khanna just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sycek is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Khanna can do to turn this around?
Khanna tries a body shot but Sycek blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Khanna fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khanna misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sycek changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Khanna fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sycek ducks right into an uppercut from Khanna.
Sycek shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Khanna misses with a body kick.
Khanna digs a good hook to Sycek's body.
Khanna scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Khanna lands a really nice looking cross but Sycek seems unphased.
Khanna throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Sycek tries for a takedown but Khanna circles away easily
and Khanna counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sycek changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Khanna tries to avoid it but Sycek manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Khanna to the ground. Khanna escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Khanna - that will leave a mark!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khanna lands a head shot.

Sycek shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Khanna manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sycek throws a big right hand that misses.
Khanna is trying to control the position but Sycek postures up.
Khanna avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Khanna throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Khanna preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Khanna is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Khanna is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sycek content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Khanna working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sycek.
Khanna throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Sycek working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Khanna's head.

Khanna is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sycek defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khanna is trying to keep Sycek in close.

Sycek got a little sloppy there for a moment and Khanna has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sycek has managed to get both his arms back between Khanna's legs - danger averted.
Khanna throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Khanna preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Khanna trying to keep a closed guard but Sycek is proving a slippery customer.
Sycek is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sycek's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Khanna utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sycek scoring with some ground and pound.
Khanna utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sycek is looking to work some ground and pound but Khanna has wrist control.
Sycek lands a couple of digs.
Sycek scoring with some ground and pound.
Sycek stands up over Khanna, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Khanna looking to control.
Sycek with a flurry of punches that miss.

Khanna looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Khanna trying to control the position.
Khanna working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sycek.
Sycek in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sycek landing some decent shots from guard.
Sycek with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Khanna can't keep his opponent in guard - Sycek advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Raja Khanna showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sycek'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!

Sycek is trying hard to land a takedown here. Khanna sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Khanna looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sycek shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Khanna pinned against the cage. Khanna gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Sycek fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Khanna to the ground. Sycek is now in Khanna's guard.
Sycek postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sycek loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Khanna not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Khanna is pulling down on Sycek's head to control his posture.
Sycek scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khanna is trying to keep Sycek in close.
Sycek is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Khanna has his hands on Sycek's head, controlling the position.
Sycek is in close to Khanna's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Khanna controls Sycek momentarily but Sycek frees himself.
Sycek working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Khanna is trying to keep Sycek in close.

Khanna is looking for a triangle but Sycek pushes his legs off easily.
Sycek working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khanna working a defensive guard here.
Khanna might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sycek haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sycek working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Khanna's head.
Sycek working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sycek lands a couple of digs.
Sycek with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sycek is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Khanna controls Sycek momentarily but Sycek frees himself.

Khanna throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Khanna takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Khanna is controlling Sycek's posture.
Khanna controls Sycek momentarily but Sycek frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sycek working some strikes from top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sycek's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sycek working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Khanna's head.
Sycek might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sycek scoring with some ground and pound.
Khanna looking to control.
Khanna preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sycek landing with the ground and pound.
Sycek makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Khanna controls Sycek momentarily but Sycek frees himself.
Sycek missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Samuel Sycek overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sycek's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sycek throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sycek with a nice head shot there.
Khanna working a defensive guard here.
Sycek connects with a couple of short punches.

Khanna is rocked!
Khanna trying to keep a closed guard but Sycek is proving a slippery customer.
Sycek throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sycek lands a couple of digs.
Khanna trying to keep a closed guard but Sycek is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Khanna working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sycek.
Sycek throwing strikes from guard but Khanna blocks nicely.
Sycek postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Sycek showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sycek has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Sycek!