PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Josh Sikes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Kraus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sikes
vs
Kraus

171 cm
22
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Josh Sikes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andre Kraus!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sikes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sikes misses with the combination.
Sikes keeps the fight on the outside.
Sikes throws a series of strikes that have Kraus backpedaling.

It looks like Andre Kraus has been cut.
Kraus stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab lands there for Sikes.

Sikes darts in and clinches Kraus up against the cage.
Sikes stalling in the clinch.
Sikes pushes Kraus back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Sikes.
Kraus looks gassed!
Sikes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sikes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sikes landing knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Sikes.
Kraus takes a knee right on the jaw!

Kraus is rocked!
Sikes scores with a hook to the body.
Kraus is still on wobbly legs! Can Sikes finish him?
Sikes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kraus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kraus seems to have recovered his senses.
Knees to the body from Sikes.
Sikes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Sikes lands an elbow inside that Kraus shrugs off.
Sikes crunches a lovely knee into Kraus's ribcage.
Sikes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sikes scores with a shot to the side of Kraus's head.
Sikes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sikes scores a nice knee to the body.
Sikes will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kraus up against the cage.
Sikes scores a nice knee to the body.
Sikes avoiding damage.
Sikes crunches a lovely knee into Kraus's ribcage.
Sikes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sikes.
Knees to the body from Sikes.
Sikes connects with a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Sikes.
Sikes lands an elbow inside that Kraus shrugs off.
Sikes dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sikes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kraus tries to break the clinch but Sikes is controlling the position.
Sikes lands a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kraus tries to land knees in the clinch but Sikes avoids the damage to the body.
Sikes taking a breather.
Sikes with a knee to the head.
Sikes lands a knee to the body.
Sikes lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kraus backwards.
A knee to the head by Sikes.
Sikes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Stalling in the clinch from Sikes.
Sikes lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sikes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sikes landing knees to the body.
Kraus is looking to break free of the clinch but Sikes has double underhooks.
Kraus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sikes has him pressed against the cage.
Sikes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kraus's defenses.
A right handed body shot lands from Sikes.
Kraus takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sikes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kraus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kraus jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sikes walks away with a smile on his face. Kraus gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sikes throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sikes throws a head kick that Kraus semi-blocks.
Sikes is looking to clinch.
Kraus avoids a punch combination nicely.

Sikes takes the fight into the clinch.
The referee calls for Sikes to work.
Kraus takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sikes lands an elbow inside.
Kraus wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kraus jumps guard but Sikes stands there with Kraus around his waist. Kraus gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kraus goes for a takedown attempt but Sikes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Josh Sikes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Kraus.
Sikes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kraus fails in his attempt to clinch.

Sikes moves into range and clinches up with Kraus.
Sikes lands a damaging elbow.
Sikes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kraus takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kraus working aggressively here.
Sikes scores with a hook to the body.
Sikes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kraus fails to pull guard.
Sikes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sikes lands a knee to the body.
Sikes lands an elbow inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sikes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sikes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kraus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sikes lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sikes landing knees to the head.
Sikes is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Sikes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andre Kraus's cut.
That's time! Sikes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kraus tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sikes swivels and escapes.
Sikes scores with a head kick.
Sikes lands a jab-cross combination.
Kraus steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sikes. That one must have hurt.
Kraus walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sikes.

Sikes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kraus takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sikes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kraus can do to turn this around?
The referee calls for Sikes to work.
Kraus misses with an elbow over the top.
Sikes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sikes crunches a lovely knee into Kraus's ribcage.
Sikes landing knees to the head.
Nice elbow from Sikes.
Sikes is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Josh Sikes has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sikes stops a takedown attempt from Kraus.
Sikes stalling against the cage.
Sikes pushes Kraus back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Sikes lands a damaging elbow.
Good body shot from Sikes.
Sikes connects with a knee to the head.
Sikes prevents Kraus from breaking the clinch.
Sikes lands a nice knee to the body.
Kraus slowing the pace effectively.
Sikes lands a left hand.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Knees to the body from Sikes.
Sikes scores a nice knee to the body.
Sikes gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kraus.
Josh Sikes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Kraus.
Sikes is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Kraus manages to pull guard.
Kraus looking to control.
Kraus scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Sikes postures up.
Kraus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kraus manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sikes is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sikes on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sikes tries to get out of the position.
Sikes is trying to stand but he's just given Kraus his back.
Sikes is trying to stand back up.
Kraus gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

That's four 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.

Sikes is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Kraus gets his way!
Sikes is trying to get back to his feet but Kraus has full control of the position and if anything, Sikes has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Sikes dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Andre Kraus's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kraus throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sikes's waist but Sikes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kraus off to one side.
Josh Sikes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sikes throws a right and a left that both miss.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sikes scores a nice knee to the body.
Sikes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kraus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sikes lands an elbow inside.
Sikes lands a knee to the head.
Sikes pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sikes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Sikes as the two fighters clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sikes lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sikes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sikes comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kraus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sikes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Knees to the body from Sikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraus is working for takedown but Sikes is calmly controlling the position for now.
Josh Sikes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andre Kraus.
Kraus is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sikes lands a nice knee to the body.
Kraus tries to pull guard but Sikes won't allow it.
Knees to the body from Sikes.
Sikes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sikes with a knee to the head.
Sikes leaning against his opponent.
Sikes gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Sikes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sikes lands a nice knee to the body.
Sikes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kraus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees to the body from Sikes.
Kraus wants a takedown but no success here.
Sikes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sikes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sikes lands an elbow just above Kraus 's eye.
Kraus is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sikes pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two 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.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sikes takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Sikes gets underhooks to prevent Kraus's takedown attempt.
Sikes stalling in the clinch.
Kraus fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sikes holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Knees to the body from Sikes.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kraus is working for takedown but Sikes is calmly controlling the position for now.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sikes's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sikes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kraus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kraus trying to stall but Sikes improves his position.
Sikes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Sikes.
Sikes avoiding damage.
Sikes keeps control of Kraus as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sikes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kraus lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sikes is struggling to control the position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Sikes.
Kraus gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sikes displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sikes. That's going to slow Kraus down.
Kraus looks for a takedown but Sikes sprawls well.
Kraus shoots in for a double leg but Sikes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sikes blocks a head kick by Kraus.
Josh Sikes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Kraus shoots for a double leg takedown but Sikes sprawls well. He's pushed Kraus's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Sikes clinches up with Kraus and pushes him back against the cage.
Sikes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kraus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sikes smiles and moves away.
Sikes lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kraus misses with a body kick.
Sikes lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Sikes gets a clinch.
Sikes scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kraus tries to score a body lock takedown but Sikes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sikes dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sikes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Sikes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sikes, 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:26
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:26
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Sikes!