PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Howie Sinclair (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleks Starakiewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sinclair
vs
Starakiewski

171 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
134 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Howie Sinclair!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aleks Starakiewski!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Franklyn Lucas and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sinclair leaves Starakiewski with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Starakiewski misses with a takedown

and Sinclair counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Starakiewski tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sinclair just stands there and leans against the cage.
Howie Sinclair has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleks Starakiewski.

Sinclair is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Starakiewski can't fight it off and eventually Sinclair manages to take the fight to the floor. Starakiewski looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Starakiewski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sinclair gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Sinclair avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Starakiewski is looking for a triangle here but Sinclair uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sinclair is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Starakiewski has escaped the position, nice work there.
Starakiewski is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starakiewski manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Starakiewski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Starakiewski looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sinclair decides to return to a standing position.
Horrible takedown attempt by Starakiewski or perhaps it was just good defense by Sinclair, which made it look bad.
Sinclair displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Starakiewski.
Starakiewski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sinclair defends well and Starakiewski ends up having to push Sinclair into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sinclair moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Aleks Starakiewski has been cut.
Starakiewski shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Sinclair counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Starakiewski looks winded!
Sinclair is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sinclair knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Starakiewski on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sinclair trying to control but Starakiewski is working from the bottom.

Starakiewski looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sinclair looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Sinclair drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sinclair jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sinclair trying to control but Starakiewski is working from the bottom.
Sinclair has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sinclair gets to his feet. Starakiewski looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Starakiewski is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sinclair's half guard.
Sinclair wants to improve his position but Starakiewski is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sinclair keeping hold of Starakiewski's head, controlling as best he can.

Starakiewski is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sinclair defends it well.
Starakiewski is looking to advance position but Sinclair won't allow it.

Sinclair makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Starakiewski fails with the takedown

and Sinclair holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Starakiewski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sinclair smiles and moves away.
Starakiewski with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sinclair counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Starakiewski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sinclair smiles and moves away.
Starakiewski shoots for a takedown but Sinclair saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sinclair dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Starakiewski. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Starakiewski tries to keep at a distance but Sinclair has taken the fight into the clinch.

Sinclair escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Starakiewski misses with a takedown

and Sinclair counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sinclair.
Starakiewski tries to pull guard but Sinclair won't allow it.
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!

Sinclair ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sinclair no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Sinclair managing to control the position.
Sinclair is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Starakiewski has gone for a leg lock! Sinclair slips out almost immediately though and dives into Starakiewski's guard.

Starakiewski working for submissions but it's allowed Sinclair to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Howie Sinclair dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aleks Starakiewski's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Starakiewski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sinclair counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sinclair.

Starakiewski looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sinclair trying to stand up but can't free himself from Starakiewski's guard.
Sinclair throwing strikes but missing.
Sinclair is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Starakiewski can do to turn this around?
Sinclair cracks Starakiewski with a solid left hand.

Starakiewski working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sinclair has passed into half guard!
Howie Sinclair overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sinclair tries to pass to full mount but Starakiewski defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sinclair takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Starakiewski looking for submissions off his back.
Starakiewski wants to sweep but Sinclair has passed to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starakiewski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Starakiewski is pressing down on Sinclair's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sinclair with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sinclair slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sinclair would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Starakiewski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sinclair wants to control from the top but Starakiewski keeps moving.
Sinclair tries to free his leg and advance position but Starakiewski is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Starakiewski is looking for a triangle but Sinclair pushes his legs off easily.
Sinclair would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sinclair stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Starakiewski swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Starakiewski is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Sinclair has his hands clasped together but Starakiewski extends and breaks Sinclair's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Starakiewski.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Aleks Starakiewski!