PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Saddam Hussain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Equinox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hussain's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Dabke Huwara. This should be fireworks!

Hussain
vs
Equinox

162 cm
24
140 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
146 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Shango Designs
Shango Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Saddam Hussain!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Equinox!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Daniel Cesar and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hussain misses with a takedown attempt - Equinox sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hussain misses with a straight left.
Equinox slips a jab from Hussain.
Hussain misses with a looping right.
Equinox wants to clinch.
Hussain misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Equinox does it's job there.
Hussain looks to land a right hand but Equinox moved out of range.
Hussain throws a jab when Equinox was well out of range.
Hussain scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hussain misses with a body shot.
Saddam Hussain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Equinox doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hussain thows a body shot but no joy.
Hussain lands with a straight right. Equinox didn't see that one coming.
Hussain throws a looping overhand right but Equinox ducks down to avoid it.
Hussain works Equinox's body with a nice hook.
Hussain throws a shot from downtown. Equinox moves away and avoids it.
Equinox takes one on the button.
Hussain shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Equinox as he avoids it easily.
Hussain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Equinox takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Equinox doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Hussain breaks the clinch.
Hussain takes a swing at Equinox's ribcage but misses.
Hussain listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hussain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
John Equinox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hussain misses with a looping right.
Hussain just misses with a punch to the body.
Hussain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hussain throws a shot to the body.
Hussain throws the left hand but Equinox avoids the punch easily.
Hussain lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Equinox circles away quickly and effectively.
Equinox moves out of range as Hussain strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hussain scores with a jab to the body.
Equinox bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hussain lands a body shot.
Equinox keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hussain looks to land a right hand but Equinox moved out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Hussain misses the target.
Hussain throws an overhand right that lands on Equinox's shoulder, as Equinox tries to avoid the shot.
Hussain pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hussain moves out of range of the strikes.

Equinox gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hussain has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Equinox lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hussain is trying to break the clinch but Equinox is controlling him.
Hussain lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Equinox prevents Hussain from breaking the clinch.
Hussain looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Equinox.
Hussain working hard to break the clinch.
Hussain is trying to break the clinch but Equinox is controlling him.

Hussain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hussain throws a shot to the body.
Hussain lands a nice looking body shot.

Equinox closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Equinox lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hussain or not.
Equinox pushes Hussain back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Equinox - that landed with a thud.
Equinox works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Equinox prevents Hussain from breaking the clinch.
Equinox lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hussain.

Hussain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hussain is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Equinox.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saddam Hussain dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Equinox scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hussain throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Equinox leaves Hussain with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Equinox takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hussain lands a two punch combo.
Equinox takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Hussain throws a body punch but Equinox moves out of range.
Equinox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hussain.
Hussain misses with a looping right.
A big right from Hussain misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain throws out a powerful jab.
Hussain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hussain swats away the attempt to clinch by Equinox.
Hussain throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Equinox counters with a right hand to the body.
Equinox slips under a jab.
Hussain misses with a takedown
and Equinox counters with a stiff right hand.
Hussain just misses with a punch to the body.

Equinox rushes Hussain and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Equinox lands a left hand.
Equinox lands a body punch.
Equinox makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussain wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hussain wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Equinox has him pressed against the cage.
Equinox throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Equinox breaks the clinch.
Hussain throws a lazy right hand but Equinox sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hussain misses the shot to the body.
Hussain works Equinox's body with a nice hook.
Hussain missing with a left hand there. Equinox was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hussain misses with a straight right.
Hussain looks to land a combination. Equinox sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Hussain.
Hussain swats away the attempt to clinch by Equinox.
The fighters circling - Hussain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Equinox looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hussain throws a lazy right hand but Equinox sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Equinox displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hussain throws out the jab.
Hussain misses with a looping right.
A slow jab from Hussain misses its intended target.
Hussain throws a body punch but Equinox moves out of range.
Equinox fails with an attempt to clinch.
Equinox is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hussain avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Equinox is looking to clinch.
Hussain looks to land a left hand but Equinox moved out of range nicely.
Equinox ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hussain throws a lazy right hand but Equinox sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Equinox moves out of range as Hussain strikes.
Hussain throws the left hand but Equinox avoids the punch easily.
Hussain throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hussain throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Equinox sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Equinox tries to clinch there but Hussain circles away.
Hussain misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Equinox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hussain misses with a jab to the body
and Hussain takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big left from Hussain misses.
Hussain misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hussain lands a slapping body shot.
Saddam Hussain is winning the standup battle so far.
Hussain lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Equinox at a distance.
Hussain scores with a jab to the body.
Hussain is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Equinox's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Equinox is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hussain scores with a sloppy right hand. Equinox should have avoided that one.
Hussain throws a hook but Equinox avoids it easily.
Equinox slips a straight right by Hussain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Hussain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hussain dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hussain misses with a looping left.
A slow jab from Hussain misses its intended target.
A big right from Hussain misses.
Hussain throws an overhand right that lands on Equinox's shoulder, as Equinox tries to avoid the shot.
Hussain swings away with a body shot that misses
and Equinox cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hussain just misses with a punch to the body.
Hussain throws a shot to the body.
Hussain getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hussain looks to score with a jab to the body but Equinox is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussain misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hussain looks to land a combination but Equinox avoids it well.
Equinox tries to clinch up.
Hussain closes the distance and clinches up with Equinox, looking for a takedown. Hussain pushes Equinox against the cage but Equinox circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A big right from Hussain misses.
Equinox tries to clinch but Hussain moves out of range.
Hussain scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Equinox defending well as Hussain loads up on a big left hand.
Hussain throws an overhand right that lands on Equinox's shoulder, as Equinox tries to avoid the shot.
Hussain swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Equinox slips under a jab from Hussain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox tries to clinch up.
Hussain with a jab.
Hussain ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Equinox moves away.
A big right from Hussain misses.
A big left from Hussain misses.
Hussain stuns Equinox with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Hussain.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hussain swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Equinox slips under a jab from Hussain.
Hussain misses with a hook.
A big left from Hussain misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Hussain.
Hussain sizes up Equinox with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Equinox uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hussain.
Hussain throws a left and a right that both miss

and Equinox counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hussain wants to break free but Equinox has control.
Equinox misses with the head strike.
A short left from Equinox.
Hussain wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hussain takes a shot to the head.
Equinox digs a right hand underneath Hussain's ribcage. Hussain let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A frustrated look appears on Hussain's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A body shot lands from Equinox.
Equinox pushes Hussain back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Equinox lands with a short shot to the head.
Hussain is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hussain wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hussain wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Equinox has him pressed against the cage.
Equinox scores with a shoulder strike.
Hussain has had enough of the clinch but Equinox keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saddam Hussain clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hussain misses with a double jab
enabling Equinox to counter with a crisp jab.
Hussain swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A lazy left from Hussain finds it's target.
Hussain fails with a takedown attempt.
Equinox throws a looping overhand right but Hussain ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Equinox blocks a jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hussain.
Hussain looks to score with a jab to the body but Equinox is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox tries to clinch but Hussain moves out of range.
Hussain throws a looping overhand right but Equinox ducks down to avoid it.
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Hussain.
Hussain moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hussain is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Equinox.
Equinox keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hussain jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Equinox tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Equinox staying out of range there.
Equinox takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hussain throws a looping overhand right but Equinox ducks down to avoid it.
Equinox wants to clinch.
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Hussain.
Equinox fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hussain throws an overhand right that lands on Equinox's shoulder, as Equinox tries to avoid the shot.
Hussain takes a swing at Equinox's ribcage but misses.
A slow jab from Hussain misses its intended target.
Hussain swings away with a body shot that misses

and Equinox counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hussain tries to break free but Equinox pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hussain breaks the clinch.
Hussain lands with a hook. Equinox tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hussain pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hussain throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hussain misses with a wild body shot.
Equinox doesn't manage to clinch there - Hussain circles away.
Hussain takes a swing at Equinox's ribcage but misses.
Equinox doesn't manage to clinch there - Hussain circles away.
Hussain misses with a straight right.
Hussain throws out a loose jab but Equinox uses good head movement to avoid it.
Equinox doesn't manage to clinch there - Hussain circles away.
Hussain swings for the body but Equinox moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hussain shoots in but no luck this time.
Hussain throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Horrible takedown by Hussain or perhaps it was just good defense by Equinox which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saddam Hussain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hussain throws a hook to the side of Equinox's head but Equinox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Equinox has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hussain misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Equinox.
Hussain misses with a body punch

and Equinox counters by clinching up.
Equinox softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Equinox.
Hussain wants to break free but Equinox has control.
Hussain tries to circle away but Equinox has him pinned against the cage.
Hussain is trying to break the clinch but Equinox has him pressed against the cage.
Equinox scores with a nice hook to the head.
Equinox throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but John Equinox will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Hussain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hussain misses with a body shot.
Equinox defending well as Hussain loads up on a big left hand.
Hussain swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Equinox counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Equinox has closed the distance and engaged Hussain in a clinch.
A hook to the body from Equinox.
Equinox gets through Hussain's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hussain wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Equinox has him pressed against the cage.
Equinox lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Equinox lands a body shot.
Equinox blocking some punches.
Equinox lands a right hand.
A right hand to the body from Equinox.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Equinox digs a right hand into Hussain's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hussain's gas tank.
Equinox lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hussain backwards.
Equinox displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hussain up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Equinox.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Equinox scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hussain has had enough of the clinch but Equinox keeps him there for the moment.
Equinox lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox presses Hussain against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Equinox lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Hussain is rocked!
Equinox is leaning against Hussain and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Oh Hussain is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Equinox lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Equinox lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Equinox lands with a short shot to the head.
Equinox lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Equinox.
Equinox lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hussain throws a punch but it's blocked by Equinox.
Hussain is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Equinox softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hussain wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Equinox has him pressed against the cage.
Equinox lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hussain backwards.
Equinox pushes Hussain back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Equinox lands a body shot.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Equinox creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Equinox has Hussain pushed against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Equinox.
Equinox lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hussain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hussain is trying to force a seperation but Equinox has the dominant position.
Hussain wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hussain seems to have got his legs back now.
Equinox scores with a shoulder strike.
Equinox lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Equinox stalling against the cage.
Hussain wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Hussain's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Equinox makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hussain cracks Equinox with a nice body shot.
A short uppercut from Equinox.
Hussain wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hussain has had enough of the clinch but Equinox keeps him there for the moment.
Equinox lands a right hand.
A nice left hand lands by Equinox.
Equinox softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Equinox scores with a shot to the side of Hussain's head.
Equinox has Hussain pressed against the cage, preventing Hussain from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hussain tries to break the clinch but Equinox is controlling the position.
Good body shot from Equinox.
Equinox scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Equinox lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hussain.
Equinox digs a right hand underneath Hussain's ribcage. Hussain let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Equinox lands a hook that snaps the head of Hussain backwards.
Equinox lands a left hand.
Hussain's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Equinox lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hussain backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Equinox.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Equinox scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Equinox.
Equinox lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hussain backwards.
Equinox keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hussain's efforts to push away.
Equinox lands a body shot.
Equinox stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Equinox pushes Hussain back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hussain tries to work over Equinox's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A hook to the body from Equinox.
Hussain is looking to break free of the clinch but Equinox has double underhooks.

Hussain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hussain swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Equinox moves into the clinch.
Hussain swings wildly with an uppercut but Equinox uses good head movement to avoid it.
A frustrated look appears on Hussain's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Equinox scores with a nice short uppercut.
Equinox lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Equinox keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hussain's efforts to push away.
Hussain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Equinox tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hussain avoids it.
A short left from Equinox.
Hussain working hard to break the clinch.
Equinox scores with a hook to the body.
Equinox stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hussain has had enough of the clinch but Equinox keeps him there for the moment.
Hussain tries to break the clinch but Equinox is controlling the position.
Equinox prevents Hussain from breaking the clinch.
Equinox keeps control of Hussain as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Equinox misses with a hook from the clinch.
Equinox working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hussain working aggressively here.
Equinox prevents Hussain from breaking the clinch.
Equinox lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A body shot lands from Equinox.
A right handed body shot lands from Equinox.
A short uppercut from Equinox.
Hussain tries a body shot but Equinox blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hussain's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Equinox prevents Hussain from breaking the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Hussain's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hussain wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Equinox lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Equinox slows down the pace here.
John Equinox seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Equinox lands a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Equinox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Equinox has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 46:48
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 46:48
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 46:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Equinox!
John Equinox is the new bantamweight champion!