PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jay Read (ranked 3939 p4p, 3001 weight class) and Waheed Saqqaf (ranked 463 p4p, 371 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Read might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Fight Music. Saqqaf has chosen The Endless River - Eternal Insomnia as his entrance music. Jay Read has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Read
vs
Saqqaf

190 cm
24
170
7 - 4 - 0

182 cm
22
173
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Fantasy Threads
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jay Read!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Waheed Saqqaf!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Read has closed the distance and engaged Saqqaf in a clinch.
Saqqaf avoiding damage as Read throws knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Saqqaf as the two fighters clinch.
Saqqaf tries to throw a body punch but Read avoids it by throwing Saqqaf back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Saqqaf managing to block the knees to the body from Read.
Read is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Read can't find room to land a body shot as Saqqaf controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Read using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saqqaf has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Saqqaf - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Saqqaf pressing his opponent against the cage.
Saqqaf's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saqqaf tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Read's elbow.
Saqqaf looking to slow down the pace here.
Read is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saqqaf is defending well for now.
Read is stalling here.
Saqqaf misses with a hook to the ribs.
Read stalling against the cage.
Saqqaf tries to pull guard but Read won't allow it.
Saqqaf jumps guard but Read stands there with Saqqaf around his waist. Saqqaf gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Saqqaf jumps guard but Read stands there with Saqqaf around his waist. Saqqaf gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Jay Read has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waheed Saqqaf.
Saqqaf has Read pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Saqqaf misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Saqqaf tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Read tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saqqaf avoids it.
Saqqaf misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've been informed that Saqqaf has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Read throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Saqqafs head.
Nice body punch from Saqqaf.
Read looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Read stalls.
Saqqaf fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Read is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saqqaf is defending well for now.
Saqqaf on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Saqqaf misses with a punch to the body.
Saqqaf tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Read slowing the pace effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Saqqaf is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Read with a knee to the head.

It looks like Waheed Saqqaf has been cut.
Read putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Saqqaf in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Read is stalling here.
Saqqaf is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Read is keeping busy.
Read scores a nice knee to the body.
Read displaying some good clinch control by pressing Saqqaf up against the cage.
Saqqaf stalling in the clinch but Read improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saqqaf letting Read take a breather here.
Read stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Read lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Saqqaf stalling in the clinch but Read improves position.
Read with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Read misses with a knee to the head.
Saqqaf tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Read unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saqqaf lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Read leaning against his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Read trying to land knees to the body.
Read comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Read dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Waheed Saqqaf's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Read has managed to clinch.
Saqqaf misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Read slowing the pace effectively.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Read tries to land knees in the clinch but Saqqaf avoids the damage to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Read.
Come on Saqqaf - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Read misses with an elbow over the top.
Jay Read has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Saqqaf jumps guard but Read turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Read dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Read missing with knees to the body.
Read is struggling to control the position.
Saqqaf struggles to land a body shot inside as Read controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saqqaf tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Saqqaf leaning against his opponent.
Read misses with a hook to the ribs.
Read prevents a body shot from Saqqaf.
Saqqaf misses with a punch to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Read - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Read creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Saqqaf's defenses.
Read really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saqqaf letting Read take a breather here.
Read with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Saqqaf tries a body shot but Read blocks it.
Saqqaf is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Saqqaf stalling in the clinch but Read improves position.
Saqqaf is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Read has denied him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Read tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Saqqaf taking a breather.
Read unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saqqaf lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Read lands a body punch.
Read holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Saqqaf is trying to maintain a safe position but Read gets an underhook and turns Saqqaf into the cage.
Read connects with a knee to the head.
Read tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Read misses with a hook to the ribs.
Read stalling the fight.
Read missing with knees to the body.
Read using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Saqqaf stalls.
Saqqaf wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Read content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Saqqaf tries to pull guard but Read forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Saqqaf tries a body shot but Read blocks it.
Read stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Read scores with a shoulder strike.
Saqqaf is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Saqqaf doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Read prevents a body shot from Saqqaf.
Read just leaning against Saqqaf, taking a breather.
Read avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Read effectively controlling the action here.
Read tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Read taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Saqqaf looking to stall.
Saqqaf throws a punch but it's blocked by Read.
Saqqaf letting Read take a breather here.
Read tries a knee to the head but Saqqaf blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saqqaf misses with the head strike.
Read tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saqqaf's elbow.
Saqqaf tries to pull guard but Read won't allow it.
Jay Read has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waheed Saqqaf.
Saqqaf has a couple of punches blocked by Read.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Read dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Waheed Saqqaf's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Saqqaf circles away from the clinch attempt.
Read looks to clinch
and Saqqaf counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Read displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Saqqaf throws out the jab.
Saqqaf misses with a hook.

Read moves into the clinch.
Saqqaf misses with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Read.
Read is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saqqaf can do to turn this around?
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The referee is keeping an eye on Saqqaf - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saqqaf is pushing Read up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Read with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saqqaf has a couple of punches blocked by Read.
Saqqaf trying to stall but Read improves his position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Read prevents a body shot from Saqqaf.
Saqqaf fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Read is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Read is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saqqaf is defending well for now.
Saqqaf tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Read just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Saqqaf looking to slow down the pace here.
Saqqaf is trying to pull guard but Read has him pressed against the cage.
Jay Read has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waheed Saqqaf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Read is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Read tries to land a knee to the head but Saqqaf blocks with his arms.
Read stalling against the cage.
Read is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Read'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.
Saqqaf fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saqqaf is trying to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Saqqaf slowing the pace effectively.
Read trying to land knees to the body.
Read utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Read misses with a knee strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Read - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Read stalling the fight.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jay Read.
Saqqaf swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Read counters with a nice uppercut.

Read clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Read pressing his opponent against the cage.
Read lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Saqqaf drags the fight down to the ground.
Read would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Saqqaf lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Read wants to stand but Saqqaf is controlling the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Waheed Saqqaf has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jay Read is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jay Read showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Read, 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jay Read!