PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Silvester Szymanski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Habakuk Tibatong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tibatong has chosen In Flames - Cloud Connected as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Szymanski
vs
Tibatong

186 cm
23
220 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

184 cm
28
205 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Silvester Szymanski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Habakuk Tibatong!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tibatong tries to clinch but Szymanski is having none of it.
Tibatong tries to clinch up but Szymanski circles away and keeps his distance.
Tibatong looks to land a combination but Szymanski avoids it well.

Tibatong shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Tibatong with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Tibatong not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Tibatong is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Szymanski is just riding it out for now. Tibatong eventually gives up the hold.
Tibatong wants to pass the guard but Szymanski is defending well.
Tibatong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Szymanski defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szymanski works his way to full guard. Good work.

Szymanski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tibatong defends it easily.

Tibatong gets to his feet - Szymanski follows without any prompting.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Szymanski.

A jab-cross combination lands for Szymanski and sends Tibatong crashing to the mat! Szymanski follows him down to the mat - Tibatong regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

It looks like Habakuk Tibatong has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Szymanski is controlling the pace.
Szymanski not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Szymanski stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Tibatong moves out of range of the body kick from Szymanski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Szymanski.
Szymanski misses with a two punch combination.
A head kick misses from Tibatong.
Szymanski has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tibatong shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Szymanski as he jumps to the side.
Tibatong looks gassed!
Szymanski scores with a nice strike.
Tibatong gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Szymanski throws a low kick, looking for Tibatong's leg but Tibatong calmly moves out of range.
Szymanski tries to bum rush Tibatong with a series of wild strikes but Tibatong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tibatong shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Szymanski sprawls well. Szymanski wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tibatong gets slowly back to his feet.

Szymanski pushes Tibatong up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Szymanski manages to pull guard.

Tibatong got a little sloppy there for a moment and Szymanski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tibatong has managed to get both his arms back between Szymanski's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tibatong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Szymanski wants to stand up but Tibatong is controlling him.

Szymanski pushes Tibatong off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Szymanski throws a low kick but Tibatong avoids it.
A jab from Szymanski does it's job there.
Tibatong misses with a double jab
and Szymanski counters with a left and a right that stings Tibatong.

That has opened up Habakuk Tibatong's cut even more.
Tibatong throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Szymanski counters by moving into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Szymanski working some nice short punches in the clinch.

The cut above Habakuk Tibatong's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Szymanski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Szymanski gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tibatong is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Szymanski breaks the clinch.
Tibatong tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Szymanski counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Szymanski dips to his left and cracks Tibatong with an uppercut!

Habakuk Tibatong's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
A head kick misses from Szymanski.

Szymanski takes the fight into the clinch.
Tibatong can't find room to land a body shot as Szymanski controls the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tibatong prevents the takedown attempt.

Szymanski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Szymanski looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Tibatong!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silvester Szymanski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Habakuk Tibatong's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tibatong tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Szymanski moves into the clinch.
Tibatong is trying to push Szymanski away but Szymanski has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Tibatong ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tibatong no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Szymanski stands and steps away. Tibatong gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Szymanski staying out of range there.

Szymanski gets the takedown into side control.
Tibatong is trying to escape the position but Szymanski is controlling the position.

Szymanski tries for a kimura but Tibatong is defending well.

Szymanski wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Tibatong, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tibatong managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Szymanski.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Szymanski stands up and beckons Tibatong to his feet.
Tibatong wants to clinch but Szymanski slips to the side

and Szymanski counters by moving into the clinch.
Tibatong is looking to break free of the clinch but Szymanski has double underhooks.
Tibatong tries for a takedown but Szymanski manages to get underhooks.
Szymanski stalling against the cage.
Szymanski landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Szymanski lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tibatong can't get the takedown.
Tibatong is looking to break free of the clinch but Szymanski has double underhooks.

Szymanski pulls guard effortlessly.

Szymanski manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Tibatong moves out of range of the body kick.
Silvester Szymanski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Szymanski closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szymanski lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tibatong backwards.
Szymanski wants a takedown.
Szymanski effectively controlling the action here.
Tibatong tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Szymanski breaks from the clinch.
Szymanski tries to clinch but Tibatong moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Tibatong 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Szymanski rushes Tibatong and presses him up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Szymanski.
Tibatong wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Szymanski has him pressed against the cage.
Tibatong tries to break free but Szymanski pushes him back against the cage.

Tibatong breaks the clinch.
Szymanski throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tibatong throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Szymanski jabs at Tibatong's body.
Tibatong dodges the punch combination from Szymanski.
Szymanski wants to clinch up but Tibatong keeps it at a distance.
Tibatong rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Szymanski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tibatong closes the distance looking to clinch
and Szymanski counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Szymanski pushes Tibatong up against the cage in a clinch.
Tibatong tries to circle away but Szymanski has him pinned against the cage.
Szymanski managing to block the knees to the body from Tibatong.

Szymanski jumps into guard, dragging Tibatong to the mat.

Szymanski pushes Tibatong off and scrambles back to his feet.
Silvester Szymanski is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Szymanski has managed to clinch.

Szymanski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Szymanski takes the fight into the clinch.
Szymanski is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tibatong can do to turn this around?
Tibatong wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tibatong is trying to break the clinch but Szymanski has him pressed against the cage.

Szymanski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Szymanski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Szymanski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Szymanski closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Szymanski breaks the clinch.
Szymanski lands with a cross.
Szymanski fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Szymanski clinches up with Tibatong and pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silvester Szymanski dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Habakuk Tibatong's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Szymanski dips to his left and cracks Tibatong with an uppercut!
Szymanski circles away from the clinch attempt
and Szymanski counters with a straight right hand.
Tibatong throws a head kick but Szymanski moves out of range.
Szymanski punishes Tibatong's body with a nice straight punch.
Szymanski throws a shot to the body.
Tibatong ducks right into an uppercut from Szymanski.

Szymanski closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tibatong to the mat! Tibatong manages to get full guard.
Szymanski is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Szymanski gets to his feet. Tibatong looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!
Szymanski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Szymanski misses with a few strikes there.

Szymanski is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Tibatong's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tibatong looks like he's trying to stand up.

Szymanski decides to stand up.
Szymanski throws a series of punches but Tibatong avoids them all with ease.
Szymanski takes a jab right on the kisser.
Szymanski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tibatong throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Szymanski connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Szymanski feints and as Tibatong raises his hands in defense, Szymanski changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Szymanski wants to control from the top but Tibatong keeps moving.

Szymanski decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Tibatong, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tibatong shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Tibatong raining down shots from the mount!

Szymanski somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!

Szymanski scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tibatong is positioning himself well to prevent Szymanski advancing to mount.
Tibatong looks like he's trying to stand up.
Szymanski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tibatong defending well though.
Szymanski stops Tibatong from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Szymanski in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Tibatong tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Szymanski!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Silvester Szymanski!