PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julio Cesar Sitsongrit (ranked 535 p4p, 71 weight class) and Valerio Bartoli (ranked 290 p4p, 38 weight class). Bartoli is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Modulate - Bass Alert. Valerio Bartoli has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cesar Sitsongrit
vs
Bartoli

174 cm
25
164 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

180 cm
27
170 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Julio Cesar Sitsongrit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Valerio Bartoli!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sitsongrit darts in looking for a takedown but Bartoli gets double underhooks and turns Sitsongrit into the cage.
No luck for Sitsongrit with that takedown attempt.
Sitsongrit closes the distance and clinches up with Bartoli, looking for a takedown. Sitsongrit pushes Bartoli against the cage but Bartoli circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cesar Sitsongrit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left lands for Bartoli.

It looks like Julio Cesar Sitsongrit has been cut.
Bartoli has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A left lands for Bartoli.
Sitsongrit fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sitsongrit has a takedown stuffed.
Sitsongrit has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Sitsongrit fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit avoids the head kick by Bartoli.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bartoli.
A telegraphed right hand from Bartoli misses the target.
Sitsongrit attempts a counter takedown but Bartoli avoids it well and moves away.
Sitsongrit takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sitsongrit throws a shot from downtown. Bartoli moves away and avoids it.
Sitsongrit fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sitsongrit shoots in for a takedown but Bartoli shows good takedown defense.
Bartoli doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sitsongrit has his takedown stuffed
and Bartoli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartoli connects with the punch.

Sitsongrit is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Bartoli's half guard.
Bartoli is looking to get back to is feet but Sitsongrit passes into side control.
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!
Bartoli wants to get back to his feet but Sitsongrit drags him back down.
Sitsongrit wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bartoli keeps working.
Sitsongrit is trying to move to mount but Bartoli reverses beautifully and ends up in Sitsongrit's guard.

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

Sitsongrit is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bartoli is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sitsongrit has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bartoli can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sitsongrit looking to control.

Sitsongrit working for a triangle but Bartoli defends it easily.
Bartoli wants to get up but he can't break Sitsongrit's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Sitsongrit is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bartoli is aware though and is defending well.
Bartoli would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Sitsongrit has an active guard here but Bartoli has managed to pass into half guard.
Sitsongrit trying to control but Bartoli postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bartoli wants to stand up but Sitsongrit has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Sitsongrit is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bartoli pulls his head out easily.
Sitsongrit trying to control from the bottom.
Bartoli tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sitsongrit.

Sitsongrit looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sitsongrit looking for submissions off his back.
Bartoli is thwarting Sitsongrit's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valerio Bartoli dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Julio Cesar Sitsongrit's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sitsongrit tries for a takedown but Bartoli sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bartoli feints a counter leg kick.
Bartoli jabs Sitsongrit right on the nose. Sitsongrit blinks but takes it well.
Sitsongrit keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bartoli.
Bartoli lands a head shot.
Bartoli chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sitsongrit is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bartoli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bartoli! But no joy.
Sitsongrit takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Valerio Bartoli seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sitsongrit dives in for a single leg takedown but Bartoli sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cesar Sitsongrit. 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.
Jab by Bartoli.

Sitsongrit shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bartoli is trying to stand up here but Sitsongrit is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sitsongrit is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Sitsongrit is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bartoli is defending against the submission attempts here by Sitsongrit.

Sitsongrit is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bartoli is trying to stand up here but Sitsongrit is controlling him well.
Sitsongrit seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bartoli does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bartoli wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bartoli throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bartoli misses with a wild body shot.
Sitsongrit takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sitsongrit defending well as Bartoli loads up on a big left hand.
Bartoli has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sitsongrit works over Bartoli's head and body with a nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Bartoli coming out on top.
Bartoli looks to land a combination but Sitsongrit avoids it well.
Sitsongrit shoots for a takedown but Bartoli saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sitsongrit misses with a right hand
and Bartoli counters with a two punch combo.
Sitsongrit fails with the takedown.
Sitsongrit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bartoli.
An attempted straight right counter from Sitsongrit misses the target.
Sitsongrit tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bartoli defends well and Sitsongrit ends up having to push Bartoli into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bartoli looks to land a combination but Sitsongrit avoids it well.
Bartoli displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sitsongrit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bartoli lands with a nice combination. Sitsongrit backs away looking to recover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bartoli feints and then cracks Sitsongrit's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sitsongrit down.
Nice takedown defense from Bartoli. No joy for Sitsongrit on that attempt.
Sitsongrit tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bartoli sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sitsongrit somewhat.
Bartoli looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sitsongrit takes a shot right to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valerio Bartoli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Julio Cesar Sitsongrit's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Bartoli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sitsongrit was well out of range. Poor timing from Bartoli.
Sitsongrit changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bartoli tries to avoid it but Sitsongrit manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bartoli to the ground. Bartoli escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bartoli appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Sitsongrit throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Despite the aggression on Bartoli's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sitsongrit swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bartoli counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Sitsongrit tries for a takedown but Bartoli circles away easily
and Bartoli makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bartoli fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sitsongrit looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartoli lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sitsongrit at a distance.
Bartoli just misses with a punch to the body.
Bartoli swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartoli misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sitsongrit misses with a takedown attempt
and Bartoli counters with a good low kick that Sitsongrit was not able to check.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Cesar Sitsongrit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bartoli throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sitsongrit has a takedown stuffed.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bartoli darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sitsongrit misses with a double jab
and Bartoli counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartoli turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sitsongrit misses with a shot to the body
and Bartoli counters with a good low kick that Sitsongrit was not able to check.
Sitsongrit fails with the takedown
and Bartoli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sitsongrit thinking.
Sitsongrit shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bartoli but Bartoli pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bartoli fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sitsongrit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bartoli.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sitsongrit blocks a head kick by Bartoli.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bartoli moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sitsongrit tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bartoli sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sitsongrit somewhat.
A little jabbing left from Bartoli on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Julio Cesar Sitsongrit has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A telegraphed right hand from Bartoli misses the target.
It looked like Sitsongrit was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bartoli scores with the left hand. Sitsongrit knows he should have avoided that one.
Bartoli uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sitsongrit has time to react.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bartoli counters with a nice uppercut.

Sitsongrit is rocked!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sitsongrit.
Oh Sitsongrit is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A jab from Sitsongrit finds it's way through Bartoli's defenses.
Sitsongrit seems to have got his legs back now.

Bartoli cracks Sitsongrit with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Sitsongrit looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Bartoli finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sitsongrit fails to land the takedown.
Bartoli feints and then cracks Sitsongrit's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sitsongrit down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valerio Bartoli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bartoli winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 26:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 26:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valerio Bartoli!
Valerio Bartoli bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.