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BAMMA 10 "SINCLAIR VS. WINNER" RESULTS: Moore's round by round report for London event
Sep 15, 2012 - 9:45:04 PM BAMMA 10 "SINCLAIR VS. WINNER" RESULTS: Moore's round by round report for London event

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By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Contributor

BAMMA 10: SINCLAIR VS. WINNER
SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
LIVE FROM LONDON, ENGLAND

=====Preliminary Card Results=====

Mark Allen def. Lee Taylor via split decision.
Max Nunes def. Tony Moran via submission at 2:58 of the first round.
Sam Mensah def. Mike Neun via KO at 0:08 of the first round.
Jeremy Petly def. Dyson Roberts via submission at 4:45 of the second round.
Tommy Maguire def. Antanas Jazbutis via unanimous decision.
Tom Breese def. Jack Magee via submission at 3:19 of the second round.
Curt Warburton def. Lee Wieczorek via unanimous decision.

=====Main Card=====

The wait is over and BAMMA are back. Live from Wembley Arena, the show is being broadcast on Channel Five* for the very first time. After a quick introduction to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, it's time for the first fight of the night. As a side note, the production values have clearly improved a great deal now the TV deal with Channel Five has been secured. Work commitments stopped me attending the fight in person, but it seems others have turned out in force to support the event. Good crowd.

FIGHT ONE: LEE BARNES VS. DENNISTON SUTHERLAND (MIDDLEWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Both fighters throw a few strikes early on to test the waters, no real strength behind any of the early exchanges. Barnes pulled Sutherland into the clinch and went for a flying knee that didn't fully contact. Barnes looks for the takedown but Sutherland defends well and lands some solid shots as a counter to rock Barnes.

After a couple of early attempts, Barnes manages to take Sutherland down, however it doesn't last and both fighters are back on their feet. In to the last minute and Sutherland gets a takedown and gets to work in top control. Sutherland is landing a few solid elbows but none do too much damage to Barnes and again both fighters stand up.

Moore's Scorecard: 10-9 Sutherland. Neither fighter had a clear advantage after the first round but I just give it to Sutherland based on the more effective striking.

ROUND TWO: Again the round starts with both fighters exchanging tentative punches to find their respective range. It doesn't take too long this time for Sutherland to get the first takedown of the second round, he took Barnes down with ease there and goes to work on the body with some strong knees. Barnes is still trying to work from the bottom and manages to edge himself towards the cage.

Barnes manages to sit up and in no time at all, he's the man in top control. Barnes starts raining down blows on Sutherland and the fight has turned in an instant. Sutherland resumes top control but Barnes has Sutherland locked in a guillotine choke but can't grip it tightly enough for the finish. Sutherland breaks free and starts reigning down blows on Barnes. This fight really is back and forth but sadly the technical quality isn't quite there for me at the moment. Neither fighter is taking advantage in dominant position. The constant blows by Sutherland leave Barnes with a bloody nose.

Moore's Scorecard: 10-9 Sutherland. I was tempted to give that round to Barnes, but Sutherland took it with a dominant last 60 seconds to just edge it.

ROUND THREE: Barnes needs to get the finish in the final round, i've got Sutherland up by two thus far. Both fighters look understandably tired and it doesn't take long for Sutherland to get Barnes in the clinch. Sutherland has him pinned up against the cage and is landing effective blows. He looks for the guillotine but can't get Barnes tight enough. Barnes is grounded and Sutherland is reigning down knees to the body.

Barnes is taking everything thrown at him, including some vicious knees when he manages to get up to his feet. Heading into the final two minutes and Barnes really needs a miracle. Sutherland is dominating this but Barnes is one tough guy and keeps coming back for more. Both guys are shattered heading into the final minute and Barnes continues to take punishment. Sutherland seems content to stay in top control, and do just enough to see out the final minutes.

Moore's Scorecard: 10-9 Sutherland. Far more dominant round from Sutherland that time and he confidently won the last and final round.

WINNER: Sutherland via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

STAR RATING: (**) Although far from a technical master class, that was an enjoyable fight to start off the main card. Neither fighter managed retain dominant control when the opportunity presented itself. Whilst the first two rounds were very close, the final round certainly wasn't. Sutherland took complete control and finished the fight impressively to earn the win.


FIGHT TWO: JACK MARSHMAN (CHAMPION) VS. ANDREW PUNSHON (BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE)

ROUND ONE: This really is a fight between boxer and grappler, no guessing what either fighter will try to do tonight. Punshon wastes no time at all and lunges forward with a flying knee but it doesn't connect. Punshon shoots, gets the takedown and works his way into side control, exactly as he probably wanted. He goes for Marshman's leg and looks for a submission, without any success. Marshman takes advantage of the space left by Punshon and traps the head looking to finish whilst landing some effective blows. Punshon tries to break free but Marshman looks a lot more competent on the ground. Wow fight over, Marshman gets the finish as Punshon taps. Wow.

WINNER:: Jack Marshman via submission (triangle choke) in the first round

STAR RATING: (**+) Fun fight that didn't last very long. I didn't expect it to go past the first round, but I never expected Marshman to get the win via submission. For someone who has very impressive stand up, he showed clear improvement on the ground tonight after the loss to Tom Watson at BAMMA 9, back in March. Punshon in my opinion, was never deserving of a title shot and the difference in ability was clear for all to see tonight. Soldier power!


FIGHT THREE: ROB SINCLAIR (CHAMPION) VS. ANDRE WINNER (BAMMA WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE)

ROUND ONE: We're off and running. Both as expected are testing the waters. Winner throws a couple of early kicks without doing any damage. Sinclair moves forward and lands some sharp punches on route to putting Winner in the clinch up against the cage. Nothing comes of it and both fighters resume back in the centre. Big shots from Sinclair and his combinations look so sharp, all connecting. Winner backs off and Sinclair puts Winner up against the cage. After a few knees, one lands in Winner's groin prompting Goddard to stop the action to allow Winner to compose himself.

Sinclair again clinches and forces the takedown, but Winner gets back up to his feet quickly. Some of Sinclair's striking has been very impressive and his tempo is impressive too. He's clearly taken the advantage in the first round. Just as i type that Winner lands an effective body shot to rock Sinclair. Time doesn't allow Winner the chance to capatilise and the bell rings to end round one.

Moore's Scorecard: 10-9 Sinclair. Far more effective striking from Sinclair, despite the solid shot at the end from Winner. Proof that Sinclair has to be wary however much he dominates throughout a round.

ROUND TWO: Sinclair wastes no time at all again to get in close on Winner. Again it doesn't lead to anything and both move to the centre and square off. Sinclair shoots and manages to push Winner towards the cage, he has to be careful though because Winner almost connected with a knee. Sinclair has the better of the stand up exchanges again and Winner is allowing Sinclair to dictate the pace. Both are looking to land combinations, but Sinclair manages to push Winner back again. He lands some good shots including an uppercut, but Winner sucks it up and the fight moves back toward the centre.

Moore's Scorecard: 10-9 Sinclair. Winner seems very content to counter strike and bide his time, yet it isn't working. Sinclair is far more dominant and in complete control at this point heading into the third round.

ROUND THREE: Winner starts more positively and feints before landing a couple of good shots. Sinclair looks superb tonight manages to take Winner down. Again it doesn't stay on the ground for long and both fighters are back to their feet. Winner is coming forward more now and is looking to land something more substantial. Sinclair is comfortable and seems happy to step backwards, looking to counter himself.

Winner is stepping up the pace and he's the aggressor in this third round. This is more like it, both are landing and both are taking punishment. Sinclair is circling on the edges of the cage and Winner is cutting him off from the centre looking to strike. Winner has been impressive in this round and maybe Sinclair is struggling with his stamina levels, especially knowing it's a five round title fight.

Moore's Scorecard: 10-9 Winner. A lot better from Winner, his corner clearly instructed him to move forward having been two rounds behind.

ROUND FOUR: Heading into the Championship rounds now and both are content to go straight into the clinch after a quick exchange. Winner looks confident and maybe Sinclair is starting to throw bombs, rather than technical strikes and combinations. He looks tired and Winner is happy to allow the fight to go anywhere. Winner executes a solid takedown but Sinclair gets straight back up to his feet.

Winner continues to move forward and Sinclair is looking to land counter strikes on the back foot. Sinclair lands a solid right hook and Winner certainly felt that, very strong connection. Still Winner continues to come forward and lands several jabs with the clock ticking down. Winner for me, needs to be even more aggressive, he isn't doing enough at the moment. Sinclair looks tired. Winner has a bloodied nose after catching a solid right but it isn't anything serious.

Moore's Scorecard: 10-9 Winner. Very very close there, and it was difficult to choose someone in that round. Could have equally gone to Sinclair.

ROUND FIVE: Both fighters hug in the centre to start the round. Winner really needs a decisive round to take this fight. He can't afford to leave this in the hands of the judges, it's too close to call. Winner persists in moving forward but he isn't landing anything significant still. Sinclair has been far more effective, even if he looks tired. The shots he is landing, are at least hitting the mark. Winner isn't doing the same although he starts to step up the pace again. Sinclair is constantly in retreat but Winner just isn't pushing forward enough.

Heading into the last two minutes and Sinclair seems to have got a second wind. Sinclair pushes forward once more and lands some solid leg kicks to keep Winner at bay. Winner pushes the pace heading into the final minute but Sinclair is effectively blocking everything that Winner throws at him. Sinclair swings and misses, but Winners lands and Sinclair drops. Winner stands over Sinclair and lands a couple of solid punches to the head, but alas the bell saves the champion and we head to a decision annoucement.

Moore's Scorecard: 10-9 Sinclair. Another very close round, this time I give the edge to Sinclair despite the last ten seconds when Winner knocked him down with a counter punch from close range.

WINNER:: Rob Sinclair via split decision (49-46, 47-48, 48-47)

STAR RATING: (***) While isn't wasn't the Fight of the Year candidate I expected, it was still exciting, if not a little frustrating. Winner didn't press enough and even when Sinclair tired, he didn't land anything too effective until the final ten seconds of the fight. Not sure what one of the judges was smoking by scoring it 49-46 in favor of Sinclair, I think 48-47 was a lot fairer. Sinclair did just enough and he can now count a former TUF finalist as one of his victories.

That's it for the BAMMA 10 card tonight, over before it really began. Hopefully the contract with Channel 5 will lead to a three hour show eventually because two hours just isn't enough. It wouldn't be too bad if we got to see the undercard fights but they aren't available yet, again hopefully we will in time, if the viewing figures get Channel 5 excited enough.

Credit to Jamie and Rich for doing this during every UFC, Strikeforce or Bellator event. My hands and fingers are killing me with the constant typing. I've never been too good at multi tasking so watching the action whilst trying to type has been a challenge. Still it's been fun and hopefully BAMMA will be back sooner rather later for another event within six months.


Follow me on Twitter; @MMATorchDan